James B. Donovan

Badge #4969, Asian Male
Former Detective Grade 3 at Warrant Section
Also served at 103rd Precinct
Service started January 2004, ended May 2023, Tax #933754

Substantiated Allegations:
Abuse of Authority: Frisk

Discipline Cases:

Case: 2022-27197
Closed: 2/3/2023

View Details

Lawsuit Settlements:
$975,000   Butler v. City of New York et al, SDNY SDNY 11CV08993
View Details

Articles

A Cop Lied Under Oath. The Queens DA Let Him Skate With a Slap on The Wrist, Hellgate, 8/13/2024
46 Convictions Thrown Out After Detective Lies Under Oath, New York Times, 8/8/2024

Complaints

7 Complaints
14 Allegations
1 Substantiated
1 Substantiated (Command Discipline)
10 Exonerated
3 Unsubstantiated

Complaint #202000635, January 2020
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Entry of Premises
Complainant: Black Male, 30-34
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Refusal to show arrest warrant
Complainant: Black Male, 30-34
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
additional details

Complaint #201510857, December 2015
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Male, 34
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
Complainant: Black Male, 34
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Search (of person)
Complainant: Black Male, 34
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Stop
Complainant: Black Male, 34
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
additional details

Complaint #201510421, December 2015
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Premises entered and/or searched
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Gun Drawn
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Documents: Complaint Closing Report
additional details

Complaint #201401788, February 2014
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Male, 23
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Premises entered and/or searched
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
additional details

Complaint #200807908, June 2008
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Search (of person)
Complainant: White Male, 30
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
Complainant: White Male, 30
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
additional details

Complaint #200711477, May 2007
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Male, 19
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
additional details

Complaint #200613740, October 2006
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
Complainant: Black Male, 23
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline)
NYPD Conclusion: No Disciplinary Action-DUP
Penalty: Command Discipline - A
additional details

Complaint #202000635, January 2020
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Entry of Premises Black Male, 30-34 Exonerated
Abuse of Authority: Refusal to show arrest warrant Black Male, 30-34 Unsubstantiated
additional details
Complaint #201510857, December 2015
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Black Male, 34 Exonerated
Abuse of Authority: Frisk Black Male, 34 Exonerated
Abuse of Authority: Search (of person) Black Male, 34 Exonerated
Abuse of Authority: Stop Black Male, 34 Exonerated
additional details
Complaint #201510421, December 2015
Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Premises entered and/or searched Unsubstantiated
Abuse of Authority: Gun Drawn Exonerated
Documents: Complaint Closing Report
additional details
Complaint #201401788, February 2014
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Black Male, 23 Exonerated
Abuse of Authority: Premises entered and/or searched Exonerated
additional details
Complaint #200807908, June 2008
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Search (of person) White Male, 30 Unsubstantiated
Abuse of Authority: Frisk White Male, 30 Exonerated
additional details
Complaint #200711477, May 2007
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Black Male, 19 Exonerated
additional details
Complaint #200613740, October 2006
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Frisk Black Male, 23 Substantiated (Command Discipline)
NYPD Conclusion: No Disciplinary Action-DUP
Penalty: Command Discipline - A
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.
'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.

Further details on conclusions.


Discipline

Case: 2022-27197
Closed: 2/3/2023
Case Details:
  1. Pleaded Guilty: Testified inaccurately at a grand jury/court proceeding.
Penalty: Vacation days (30 days)


Lawsuits

Named in 2 known lawsuits, $975,000 total settlements.

Guarino v. City of New York et al
Case # 15CV06742, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY
Amended Complaint, Second Amended Complaint
Description: Plaintiff was at home and heard Defendants yelling at him to open the door to his home, but before he could open it the door was broken off the hinges and Defendants entered the apartment with guns drawn, forced him into handcuffs, and assaulted him so that he needed hospitalization.

Butler v. City of New York et al
Case # 11CV08993, U.S. District Court - Southern District NY
$975,000 Settlement
Complaint, Stipulation

Other Documents

Perjury Complaint