Ernst Celestin

Badge #28671, Black Male
Police Officer at Patrol Borough Bronx South Community Response Team since May 2026
Also served at 40th Precinct
Service started January 2019, made $155,000 last year, Tax #966991

Substantiated Allegations:
Force: Physical force
Abuse of Authority: Entry of Premises
Abuse of Authority: Frisk (2)
Abuse of Authority: Improper use of body-worn camera (3)
Abuse of Authority: Search (of person)
Abuse of Authority: Stop (3)

Discipline Cases:

Case: 2024-30681
Closed: 5/16/2024
Case: 2024-30535
Closed: 5/5/2024
Case: 2023-29351
Closed: 5/3/2024

View Details

Lawsuit Settlements:
$40,000   Simmons, Isaiah vs City of Ny, et al., 2024 BCSC BCSC 812671/2024E
$15,000   Thomas, Nazir , et Al vs City of Ny, et al., 2024 BCSC BCSC 808302/2024E
View Details

Complaints

15 Complaints
47 Allegations
11 Substantiated
2 Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
9 Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
1 Complainant Unavailable
1 Complainant Uncooperative
16 Unable to Determine
4 Unfounded
14 Within NYPD Guidelines

Complaint #202600856, January 2026
Allegation: Force: Hit against inanimate object
Complainant: Black Male, 21-24
CCRB Conclusion: Complainant Uncooperative
additional details

Complaint #202502487, March 2025
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide name
Complainant: Black Male, 25-29
CCRB Conclusion: Unable to Determine
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Male, 25-29
CCRB Conclusion: Within NYPD Guidelines
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Male, 25-29
CCRB Conclusion: Within NYPD Guidelines
additional details

Complaint #202412776, December 2024
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Male, 30-34
CCRB Conclusion: Within NYPD Guidelines
additional details

Complaint #202408638, August 2024
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Male, 40-44
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Interference with recording
Complainant: Black Male, 40-44
CCRB Conclusion: Within NYPD Guidelines
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Interference with recording
Complainant: Puerto Rican Male, 50-54
CCRB Conclusion: Within NYPD Guidelines
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Property damaged
Complainant: Puerto Rican Male, 50-54
CCRB Conclusion: Unable to Determine
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical)
Complainant: Black Male, 40-44
CCRB Conclusion: Within NYPD Guidelines
additional details

Complaint #202405284, May 2024
Allegation: Force: Restricted Breathing
Complainant: Black Male, 35-39
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical)
Complainant: Black Male, 35-39
CCRB Conclusion: Within NYPD Guidelines
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Male, 35-39
CCRB Conclusion: Within NYPD Guidelines
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical)
CCRB Conclusion: Within NYPD Guidelines
additional details

Complaint #202402290, February 2024
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Male, 35-39
CCRB Conclusion: Complainant Unavailable
additional details

Complaint #202400396, January 2024
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Stop
Complainant: Dominican Male, 10-14
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
Complainant: Dominican Male, 10-14
CCRB Conclusion: Unable to Determine
Allegation: Force: Hit against inanimate object
Complainant: Dominican Male, 10-14
CCRB Conclusion: Unable to Determine
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Failure to Explain
Complainant: Dominican Male, 10-14
CCRB Conclusion: Unable to Determine
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Improper use of body-worn camera
Complainant: Male, 10-14
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Search (of person)
Complainant: Dominican Male, 10-14
CCRB Conclusion: Unable to Determine
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide shield number
Complainant: Dominican Male, 10-14
CCRB Conclusion: Unable to Determine
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Failure to provide RTKA card
Complainant: Dominican Male, 10-14
CCRB Conclusion: Unable to Determine
NYPD Conclusion: Command Discipline - B
Penalty: Command Discipline - B (Vacation: 3 days)
additional details

Complaint #202310478, November 2023
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Search (of person)
Complainant: Black Male, 15-17
CCRB Conclusion: Within NYPD Guidelines
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Male, 15-17
CCRB Conclusion: Within NYPD Guidelines
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
Complainant: Black Male, 15-17
CCRB Conclusion: Within NYPD Guidelines
additional details

Complaint #202304485, May 2023
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Property damaged
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 21-24
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
additional details

Complaint #202304023, April 2023
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Stop
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 30-34
CCRB Conclusion: Unable to Determine
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 30-34
CCRB Conclusion: Unable to Determine
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Search (of person)
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 30-34
CCRB Conclusion: Unable to Determine
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Failure to provide RTKA card
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 30-34
CCRB Conclusion: Unable to Determine
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Failure to Explain
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 30-34
CCRB Conclusion: Unable to Determine
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Improper use of body-worn camera
Complainant: Male, 30-34
CCRB Conclusion: Unable to Determine
additional details

Complaint #202302144, March 2023
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Male, 15-17
CCRB Conclusion: Within NYPD Guidelines
additional details

Complaint #202301904, January 2023
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Male, 25-29
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Stop
Complainant: Black Male, 25-29
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Improper use of body-worn camera
Complainant: Male, 25-29
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Male, 25-29
CCRB Conclusion: Unable to Determine
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
Complainant: Black Male, 25-29
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
NYPD Conclusion: APU Dismissed
APU Plea Penalty: Forfeit vacation 5 days
APU Case Status: Closed: Resolved by plea, March 31, 2026
Penalty: Forfeit vacation 5 days / Command Discipline A
Documents: Complaint Closing Report
additional details

Complaint #202300531, January 2023
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
Complainant: Black Male, 18-20
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Stop
Complainant: Black Male, 18-20
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Search (of person)
Complainant: Black Male, 18-20
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
NYPD Conclusion: No Disciplinary Action-DUP
Penalty: No penalty
additional details

Complaint #202208516, December 2022
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Male, 15-17
CCRB Conclusion: Unable to Determine
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Improper use of body-worn camera
Complainant: Male, 15-17
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
NYPD Conclusion: No Disciplinary Action-DUP
Penalty: No penalty
additional details

Complaint #202203603, June 2022
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Entry of Premises
Complainant: Hispanic Female, 45-49
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest
Complainant: Hispanic Female, 45-49
CCRB Conclusion: Within NYPD Guidelines
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 21-24
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Documents: Complaint Closing Report
additional details

Complaint #202600856, January 2026
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Hit against inanimate object Black Male, 21-24 Complainant Uncooperative
additional details
Complaint #202502487, March 2025
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide name Black Male, 25-29 Unable to Determine
Force: Physical force Black Male, 25-29 Within NYPD Guidelines
Force: Physical force Black Male, 25-29 Within NYPD Guidelines
additional details
Complaint #202412776, December 2024
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Black Male, 30-34 Within NYPD Guidelines
additional details
Complaint #202408638, August 2024
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Black Male, 40-44 Unfounded
Abuse of Authority: Interference with recording Black Male, 40-44 Within NYPD Guidelines
Abuse of Authority: Interference with recording Puerto Rican Male, 50-54 Within NYPD Guidelines
Abuse of Authority: Property damaged Puerto Rican Male, 50-54 Unable to Determine
Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical) Black Male, 40-44 Within NYPD Guidelines
additional details
Complaint #202405284, May 2024
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Restricted Breathing Black Male, 35-39 Unfounded
Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical) Black Male, 35-39 Within NYPD Guidelines
Force: Physical force Black Male, 35-39 Within NYPD Guidelines
Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical) Within NYPD Guidelines
additional details
Complaint #202402290, February 2024
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Male, 35-39 Complainant Unavailable
additional details
Complaint #202400396, January 2024
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Stop Dominican Male, 10-14 Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Abuse of Authority: Frisk Dominican Male, 10-14 Unable to Determine
Force: Hit against inanimate object Dominican Male, 10-14 Unable to Determine
Abuse of Authority: Failure to Explain Dominican Male, 10-14 Unable to Determine
Abuse of Authority: Improper use of body-worn camera Male, 10-14 Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Abuse of Authority: Search (of person) Dominican Male, 10-14 Unable to Determine
Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide shield number Dominican Male, 10-14 Unable to Determine
Abuse of Authority: Failure to provide RTKA card Dominican Male, 10-14 Unable to Determine
NYPD Conclusion: Command Discipline - B
Penalty: Command Discipline - B (Vacation: 3 days)
additional details
Complaint #202310478, November 2023
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Search (of person) Black Male, 15-17 Within NYPD Guidelines
Force: Physical force Black Male, 15-17 Within NYPD Guidelines
Abuse of Authority: Frisk Black Male, 15-17 Within NYPD Guidelines
additional details
Complaint #202304485, May 2023
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Property damaged Hispanic Male, 21-24 Unfounded
additional details
Complaint #202304023, April 2023
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Stop Hispanic Male, 30-34 Unable to Determine
Abuse of Authority: Frisk Hispanic Male, 30-34 Unable to Determine
Abuse of Authority: Search (of person) Hispanic Male, 30-34 Unable to Determine
Abuse of Authority: Failure to provide RTKA card Hispanic Male, 30-34 Unable to Determine
Abuse of Authority: Failure to Explain Hispanic Male, 30-34 Unable to Determine
Abuse of Authority: Improper use of body-worn camera Male, 30-34 Unable to Determine
additional details
Complaint #202302144, March 2023
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Black Male, 15-17 Within NYPD Guidelines
additional details
Complaint #202301904, January 2023
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Black Male, 25-29 Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Abuse of Authority: Stop Black Male, 25-29 Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Abuse of Authority: Improper use of body-worn camera Male, 25-29 Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Force: Physical force Black Male, 25-29 Unable to Determine
Abuse of Authority: Frisk Black Male, 25-29 Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
NYPD Conclusion: APU Dismissed
APU Plea Penalty: Forfeit vacation 5 days
APU Case Status: Closed: Resolved by plea, March 31, 2026
Penalty: Forfeit vacation 5 days / Command Discipline A
Documents: Complaint Closing Report
additional details
Complaint #202300531, January 2023
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Frisk Black Male, 18-20 Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Abuse of Authority: Stop Black Male, 18-20 Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Abuse of Authority: Search (of person) Black Male, 18-20 Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
NYPD Conclusion: No Disciplinary Action-DUP
Penalty: No penalty
additional details
Complaint #202208516, December 2022
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Black Male, 15-17 Unable to Determine
Abuse of Authority: Improper use of body-worn camera Male, 15-17 Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
NYPD Conclusion: No Disciplinary Action-DUP
Penalty: No penalty
additional details
Complaint #202203603, June 2022
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Entry of Premises Hispanic Female, 45-49 Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest Hispanic Female, 45-49 Within NYPD Guidelines
Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest Hispanic Male, 21-24 Unfounded
Documents: Complaint Closing Report
additional details

Conclusion Meanings:

'Substantiated': The misconduct occurred and it violated the rules. The NYPD has discretion over what, if any, discipline is imposed.
'Unable to Determine': The alleged conduct was investigated but could not determine both that the conduct occurred and that it broke the rules.
'Unfounded': Evidence suggests that the event or alleged conduct did not occur.
'Within NYPD Guidelines': The conduct occurred but did not violate the NYPD's own rules, which often give officers significant discretion.

Further details on conclusions.


Discipline

Case: 2024-30681
Closed: 5/16/2024
Case Details:
  1. Wrongfully frisked an individual an individual known to the Department.
  2. Wrongfully searched an individual known to the Department.
  3. Wrongfully stopped an individual known to the Department.
Recommendation: Command Discipline - B

Case: 2024-30535
Closed: 5/5/2024
Case Details:
  1. Failed to timely activate body worn camera.
Recommendation: Command Discipline - A

Case: 2023-29351
Closed: 5/3/2024
Case Details:
  1. Wrongful entry of a premises.
Recommendation: Command Discipline - B


Lawsuits

Named in 2 known lawsuits, $55,000 total settlements.

Simmons, Isaiah vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 812671/2024E, Supreme Court - Bronx, August 12, 2024, ended March 19, 2025
$40,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On May 12, 2023, Plaintiff was standing with other people when he was stopped, handcuffed and arrested by Defendants-Police Officer Stephen Oswald, Lieutenant Christopher Crane, Police Officer Matthew Barlow, Police Officer Ernst Celestin, and unnamed John Doe police officers. Plaintiff asserts that he was wounded and suffered/continues to suffer great physical pain and great bodily injuries. Plaintiff was charged with obstructing governmental administration in the second degree, harassment in the second degree, resisting arrest and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. On May 14, 2023, these charges against Plaintiff were dismissed.

Thomas, Nazir , et Al vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 808302/2024E, Supreme Court - Bronx, May 22, 2024, ended November 19, 2024
$15,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On February 28, 2024, the plaintiff was without just cause, probable cause, or provocation, recklessly and negligently touched, grabbed, handcuffed, seized, and arrested with excessive force by NYPD officers, including Officer Earnest Celestin, John Doe, and Jane Roe. While lawfully present, the plaintiff was falsely accused of committing a crime. During his custody, the plaintiff was subjected to intentional assault, battery, searches, and humiliation by the officers, resulting in serious and permanent injuries. As a result, the plaintiff required medical attention and was prevented from attending his usual occupation and duties.