Gary Vanzanten

Lieutenant at Internal Affairs Bureau since November 2025
Also served at Detective Borough Brooklyn North Operations, 79th Precinct, Narcotics Borough Brooklyn North, Police Service Area 2, 81st Precinct
Service started January 2004, made $202,000 last year, Tax #934234
White Male

Substantiated Allegations:
Force: Physical force
Abuse of Authority: Entry of Premises
Abuse of Authority: Retaliatory arrest
Abuse of Authority: Unlawful Summons

Lawsuit Settlements:
$20,000   Scarboro, Delor vs City of New York, et al., 2019 KCSC KCSC 518251/2019
$35,000   Brown, Arnold, et Al vs City of New York, et al., 2012 EDNY EDNY 12CV03280
$6,000   Rose v. City of New York et al, EDNY EDNY 10CV03069
$75,000   Spears v. The City of New York, EDNY EDNY 10CV03461
$50,000   Cruz v. The City of New York, EDNY EDNY 10CV05749
$35,000   Bissette v. The City of New York, EDNY EDNY 10CV00801
$40,000   Boyce v. City of New York et al, EDNY EDNY 11CV01734
$27,500   Mayo et al v. City of New York et al, EDNY EDNY 11CV03105
$40,000   Dossie v. Louis et al, SDNY SDNY 05CV05112
$26,000   Dallison et al v. The City of New York et al, SDNY SDNY 05CV08048
View Details

Articles

NYC cop claims bosses retaliated after he reported liquor found in captain's car, New York Post, 10/5/2024

Complaints

16 Complaints
36 Allegations
4 Substantiated
3 Substantiated (Charges)
1 Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
1 Alleged Victim Uncooperative
1 Complainant Unavailable
2 Complainant Uncooperative
12 Exonerated
3 Unfounded
12 Unsubstantiated
1 Within NYPD Guidelines

Complaint #202309740, September 2023
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Male, 21-24
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Entry of Premises
Complainant: Male, 21-24
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Retaliatory arrest
Complainant: Black Male, 21-24
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Unlawful Summons
Complainant: Black Male, 21-24
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
NYPD Conclusion: APU Command Discipline B
APU Plea Penalty: Forfeit vacation 10 days
APU Case Status: Closed: Resolved by plea, March 23, 2026
Penalty: Forfeit vacation 10 days / Command Discipline B
Documents: Complaint Closing Report
additional details

Complaint #202300483, January 2023
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Forcible Removal to Hospital
Complainant: American Indian Male, 45-49
CCRB Conclusion: Within NYPD Guidelines
additional details

Complaint #201801268, February 2018
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Male, 24
CCRB Conclusion: Complainant Uncooperative
Documents: Complaint Closing Report
additional details

Complaint #201709911, November 2017
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Male, 19
CCRB Conclusion: Complainant Uncooperative
additional details

Complaint #201709087, October 2017
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide name/shield number
Complainant: Black Female, 37
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle stop
Complainant: Black Female, 37
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Documents: Complaint Closing Report
additional details

Complaint #201707587, September 2017
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search
Complainant: Black Male, 24
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
Complainant: Black Male, 24
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Other
Complainant: Black Male, 24
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide name/shield number
Complainant: Black Male, 24
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
additional details

Complaint #201703224, April 2017
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 38
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Allegation: Force: Chokehold
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 38
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Allegation: Force: Other
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 38
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Stop
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 38
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
additional details

Complaint #201207153, May 2012
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
Complainant: Black Male, 33
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Male, 33
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
additional details

Complaint #201110772, August 2011
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Premises entered and/or searched
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
additional details

Complaint #201010690, August 2010
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide name/shield number
Complainant: Black Female, 48
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
additional details

Complaint #201005583, April 2010
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Male, 18
CCRB Conclusion: Complainant Unavailable
additional details

Complaint #200904029, March 2009
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of summons
Complainant: White Male, 44
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest
Complainant: White Male, 44
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
additional details

Complaint #200613346, October 2006
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
Complainant: Black Female, 61
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide name/shield number
Complainant: Female
CCRB Conclusion: Alleged Victim Uncooperative
Allegation: Offensive Language: Race
Complainant: Black Female, 61
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
additional details

Complaint #200610542, August 2006
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Female, 34
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide name/shield number
Complainant: Black Female, 34
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Allegation: Discourtesy: Demeanor/tone
Complainant: Black Female, 34
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
additional details

Complaint #200511889, October 2005
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Male, 40
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Search (of person)
Complainant: Black Male, 40
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
Complainant: Black Male, 40
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
additional details

Complaint #200505077, May 2005
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Female, 18
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Allegation: Force: Pepper spray
Complainant: Black Male, 23
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Question and/or stop
Complainant: Black Male, 23
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
additional details

Complaint #202309740, September 2023
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Black Male, 21-24 Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Abuse of Authority: Entry of Premises Male, 21-24 Substantiated (Charges)
Abuse of Authority: Retaliatory arrest Black Male, 21-24 Substantiated (Charges)
Abuse of Authority: Unlawful Summons Black Male, 21-24 Substantiated (Charges)
NYPD Conclusion: APU Command Discipline B
APU Plea Penalty: Forfeit vacation 10 days
APU Case Status: Closed: Resolved by plea, March 23, 2026
Penalty: Forfeit vacation 10 days / Command Discipline B
Documents: Complaint Closing Report
additional details
Complaint #202300483, January 2023
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Forcible Removal to Hospital American Indian Male, 45-49 Within NYPD Guidelines
additional details
Complaint #201801268, February 2018
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Black Male, 24 Complainant Uncooperative
Documents: Complaint Closing Report
additional details
Complaint #201709911, November 2017
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Black Male, 19 Complainant Uncooperative
additional details
Complaint #201709087, October 2017
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide name/shield number Black Female, 37 Unsubstantiated
Abuse of Authority: Vehicle stop Black Female, 37 Exonerated
Documents: Complaint Closing Report
additional details
Complaint #201707587, September 2017
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search Black Male, 24 Exonerated
Discourtesy: Word Black Male, 24 Unsubstantiated
Abuse of Authority: Other Black Male, 24 Unsubstantiated
Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide name/shield number Black Male, 24 Unsubstantiated
additional details
Complaint #201703224, April 2017
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Hispanic Male, 38 Exonerated
Force: Chokehold Hispanic Male, 38 Unsubstantiated
Force: Other Hispanic Male, 38 Unsubstantiated
Abuse of Authority: Stop Hispanic Male, 38 Unsubstantiated
additional details
Complaint #201207153, May 2012
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Discourtesy: Word Black Male, 33 Unsubstantiated
Force: Physical force Black Male, 33 Exonerated
additional details
Complaint #201110772, August 2011
Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Premises entered and/or searched Unsubstantiated
additional details
Complaint #201010690, August 2010
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide name/shield number Black Female, 48 Unfounded
additional details
Complaint #201005583, April 2010
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Male, 18 Complainant Unavailable
additional details
Complaint #200904029, March 2009
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Threat of summons White Male, 44 Exonerated
Abuse of Authority: Threat of arrest White Male, 44 Exonerated
additional details
Complaint #200613346, October 2006
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Discourtesy: Word Black Female, 61 Unsubstantiated
Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide name/shield number Female Alleged Victim Uncooperative
Offensive Language: Race Black Female, 61 Unsubstantiated
additional details
Complaint #200610542, August 2006
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Black Female, 34 Exonerated
Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide name/shield number Black Female, 34 Unfounded
Discourtesy: Demeanor/tone Black Female, 34 Unsubstantiated
additional details
Complaint #200511889, October 2005
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Black Male, 40 Unfounded
Abuse of Authority: Search (of person) Black Male, 40 Exonerated
Abuse of Authority: Frisk Black Male, 40 Exonerated
additional details
Complaint #200505077, May 2005
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Black Female, 18 Exonerated
Force: Pepper spray Black Male, 23 Exonerated
Abuse of Authority: Question and/or stop Black Male, 23 Exonerated
additional details

Conclusion Meanings:

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


Lawsuits

Named in 10 known lawsuits, $354,500 total settlements.

Scarboro, Delor vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 518251/2019, Supreme Court - Kings, December 5, 2019, ended September 10, 2020
$20,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On May 19, 2018, Plaintiff, while sleeping in mother’s apartment in Brooklyn, was awoken by NYPD officers executing a search warrant targeting Plaintiff brother. The officers entered with guns drawn, pointed their weapons at Plaintiff, and handcuffed Plaintiff. Despite not finding any illegal items on Plaintiff or Plaintiff person, Plaintiff was arrested, strip-searched, and detained for over 24 hours. Plaintiff was charged with possession of a firearm allegedly found in the brother’s bedroom, even though Plaintiff had been living in Georgia and was visiting the family for one night. All charges were dismissed after a Grand Jury returned a No True Bill, finding no probable cause for prosecution.

Brown, Arnold, et Al vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 12CV03280, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, July 10, 2012, ended June 21, 2013
$35,000 Settlement
Amended Complaint, Stipulation

Rose v. City of New York et al
Case # 10CV03069, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY
$6,000 Settlement
Complaint, Stipulation
Description: Plaintiff was unlawfully stopped, searched, assaulted, arrested, strip-searched and charged with felony. All charges dismissed.

Spears v. The City of New York
Case # 10CV03461, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY
$75,000 Settlement
Amended Complaint, Stipulation

Cruz v. The City of New York
Case # 10CV05749, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY
$50,000 Settlement
Complaint

Bissette v. The City of New York
Case # 10CV00801, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY
$35,000 Settlement
Amended Complaint

Boyce v. City of New York et al
Case # 11CV01734, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY
$40,000 Settlement
Second Amended Complaint

Mayo et al v. City of New York et al
Case # 11CV03105, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY
$27,500 Settlement
First Amended Complaint

Dossie v. Louis et al
Case # 05CV05112, U.S. District Court - Southern District NY
$40,000 Settlement
Docket Report

Dallison et al v. The City of New York et al
Case # 05CV08048, U.S. District Court - Southern District NY
$26,000 Settlement
Stipulation