Joseph A. Mele

Badge #5751, White Male
Police Officer at Police Service Area 2 since March 2026
Also served at Police Service Area 5 VIPER, 71st Precinct
Service started October 2021, made $75,700 last year, Tax #973120

Substantiated Allegations:
Abuse of Authority: Failure to Explain
Abuse of Authority: Failure to provide RTKA card
Abuse of Authority: Frisk
Abuse of Authority: Improper use of body-worn camera

Complaints

8 Complaints
15 Allegations
4 Substantiated
3 Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
1 Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
2 Closed - Pending Litigation
3 Unable to Determine
2 Unfounded
4 Within NYPD Guidelines

Complaint #202501615, January 2025
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Male, 40-44
CCRB Conclusion: Closed - Pending Litigation
additional details

Complaint #202500033, January 2025
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search
Complainant: Black Male, 45-49
CCRB Conclusion: Within NYPD Guidelines
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Failure to provide RTKA card
Complainant: Black Male, 45-49
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Search (of person)
Complainant: Black Male, 45-49
CCRB Conclusion: Unable to Determine
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
Complainant: Black Male, 45-49
CCRB Conclusion: Unable to Determine
NYPD Conclusion: Command Discipline - B
Penalty: Command Discipline - B (Vacation: 3 days) / Formalized Training
additional details

Complaint #202411620, November 2024
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
Complainant: Black Male, 30-34
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Failure to provide RTKA card
Complainant: Black Male, 30-34
CCRB Conclusion: Unable to Determine
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Improper use of body-worn camera
Complainant: Male, 30-34
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Failure to Explain
Complainant: Black Male, 30-34
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Stop
Complainant: Black Male, 30-34
CCRB Conclusion: Within NYPD Guidelines
NYPD Conclusion: Command Discipline - B
Penalty: Command Discipline - B (Vacation: 9 days) / Formalized Training
additional details

Complaint #202409105, August 2024
Allegation: Force: Nonlethal restraining device
Complainant: Black Male, 25-29
CCRB Conclusion: Closed - Pending Litigation
additional details

Complaint #202407696, July 2024
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle stop
Complainant: Black Male, 25-29
CCRB Conclusion: Within NYPD Guidelines
additional details

Complaint #202406284, June 2024
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Male, 25-29
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
additional details

Complaint #202402615, January 2024
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
Complainant: Black Male, 21-24
CCRB Conclusion: Within NYPD Guidelines
additional details

Complaint #202306829, July 2023
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide shield number
Complainant: Asian Male, 25-29
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
additional details

Complaint #202501615, January 2025
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Black Male, 40-44 Closed - Pending Litigation
additional details
Complaint #202500033, January 2025
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search Black Male, 45-49 Within NYPD Guidelines
Abuse of Authority: Failure to provide RTKA card Black Male, 45-49 Substantiated (Command Discipline B)
Abuse of Authority: Search (of person) Black Male, 45-49 Unable to Determine
Abuse of Authority: Frisk Black Male, 45-49 Unable to Determine
NYPD Conclusion: Command Discipline - B
Penalty: Command Discipline - B (Vacation: 3 days) / Formalized Training
additional details
Complaint #202411620, November 2024
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Frisk Black Male, 30-34 Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Abuse of Authority: Failure to provide RTKA card Black Male, 30-34 Unable to Determine
Abuse of Authority: Improper use of body-worn camera Male, 30-34 Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Abuse of Authority: Failure to Explain Black Male, 30-34 Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Abuse of Authority: Stop Black Male, 30-34 Within NYPD Guidelines
NYPD Conclusion: Command Discipline - B
Penalty: Command Discipline - B (Vacation: 9 days) / Formalized Training
additional details
Complaint #202409105, August 2024
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Nonlethal restraining device Black Male, 25-29 Closed - Pending Litigation
additional details
Complaint #202407696, July 2024
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Vehicle stop Black Male, 25-29 Within NYPD Guidelines
additional details
Complaint #202406284, June 2024
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Black Male, 25-29 Unfounded
additional details
Complaint #202402615, January 2024
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Discourtesy: Word Black Male, 21-24 Within NYPD Guidelines
additional details
Complaint #202306829, July 2023
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide shield number Asian Male, 25-29 Unfounded
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.


Lawsuits

Named in 3 known lawsuits.

Marcus, Romel et Al vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 25CV03313, U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, June 24, 2025
Complaint

Pierre, Jean vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 527484/2024, Supreme Court - Kings, October 10, 2024
Complaint
Description: On August 16, 2023, Plaintiff was standing in front of a premise smoking a cigarette. Defendant NYPD police officers, including PO Joseph Hayward were chasing a third party when they ran into and pushed Plaintiff. The police officers then grabbed Plaintiff, assaulted him, and handcuffed him, before transporting him to a precinct. There, the officers prepared false police reports accusing Plaintiff of various crimes, which caused Plaintiff to be prosecuted. All charges against Plaintiff were dismissed unconditionally by the DA on November 16, 2023.

Personna, Dorice vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 517704/2024, Supreme Court - Queens, June 28, 2024
Complaint
Description: On August 16, 2023, around 8:00 P.M., plaintiff Dorice Personna was stopped, detained, battered, and assaulted by police officers. Plaintiff was illegally searched and aggressively touched without reasonable suspicion. Plaintiff was illegally interrogated and taken to Central Booking where he was released on August 18, 2023. Plaintiff was held for about seventy-two hours. Plaintiff was targeted because of their protected class as an African American or Hispanic individual. Plaintiff was caused to suffer immense emotional distress and harm to reputation.