Joseph A. Bermudez

Badge #741, Hispanic Male, 40
Sergeant at 44th Precinct Detective Squad since August 2025
Also served at 43rd Precinct Detective Squad, Property Clerk Division, Fleet Services Division, Dep Comm Community Partnerships, Collaborative Policing Unit, 48th Precinct, 48th Precinct Detective Squad, 43rd Precinct
Service started July 2006, made $174,000 last year, Tax #941419

Substantiated Allegations:
Abuse of Authority: Stop (2)


Lawsuit Settlements:
$59,750   Hart, Edward, et Al vs City of New York, et al., 2012 SDNY SDNY 12CV02628
$3,800,115   Ligon, Jaenean, et Al vs City of New York, et al., 2012 SDNY SDNY 12CV02274
$75,000   Tracey, Brandon vs City of New York, et La., 2012 BCSC BCSC 311299/2011
View Details

Complaints

12 Complaints
18 Allegations
2 Substantiated
1 Substantiated (Charges)
1 Substantiated (Instructions)
3 Alleged Victim Unavailable
4 Complainant Uncooperative
2 Exonerated
2 Unable to Determine
5 Unsubstantiated

Complaint #202206188, August 2022
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Refusal to process civilian complaint
Complainant: Black Female, 25-29
CCRB Conclusion: Unable to Determine
additional details

Complaint #202201925, March 2022
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Refusal to obtain medical treatment
Complainant: Hispanic Female, 30-34
CCRB Conclusion: Unable to Determine
additional details

Complaint #201910460, December 2019
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Sex Miscon (Sexual Harassment, Verbal)
Complainant: Hispanic Female, 29
CCRB Conclusion: Complainant Uncooperative
additional details

Complaint #201100651, January 2011
Allegation: Force: Gun fired
Complainant: Hispanic Female, 24
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
additional details

Complaint #201100271, January 2011
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Stop
Complainant: Black Male, 21
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Instructions)
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical)
Complainant: Female
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Allegation: Force: Pepper spray
Complainant: Black Male, 21
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
NYPD Conclusion: Plead Guilty - DCT
Penalty: Vacation: 20 days
additional details

Complaint #201013437, September 2010
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 33
CCRB Conclusion: Alleged Victim Unavailable
additional details

Complaint #201012419, September 2010
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Male
CCRB Conclusion: Complainant Uncooperative
additional details

Complaint #200919287, December 2009
Allegation: Force: Physical force
Complainant: Black Male, 23
CCRB Conclusion: Complainant Uncooperative
Allegation: Force: Hit against inanimate object
Complainant: Black Male, 23
CCRB Conclusion: Complainant Uncooperative
additional details

Complaint #200917545, November 2009
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Stop
Complainant: Black Male, 23
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
additional details

Complaint #200913539, August 2009
Allegation: Offensive Language: Race
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 24
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide name/shield number
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 24
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
additional details

Complaint #200912110, July 2009
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Search (of person)
Complainant: Male
CCRB Conclusion: Alleged Victim Unavailable
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Stop
Complainant: Male
CCRB Conclusion: Alleged Victim Unavailable
additional details

Complaint #200709473, July 2007
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Question
Complainant: Black Male, 42
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Stop
Complainant: Black Male, 42
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Penalty: Instructions
additional details

Complaint #202206188, August 2022
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Refusal to process civilian complaint Black Female, 25-29 Unable to Determine
additional details
Complaint #202201925, March 2022
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Refusal to obtain medical treatment Hispanic Female, 30-34 Unable to Determine
additional details
Complaint #201910460, December 2019
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Sex Miscon (Sexual Harassment, Verbal) Hispanic Female, 29 Complainant Uncooperative
additional details
Complaint #201100651, January 2011
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Gun fired Hispanic Female, 24 Exonerated
additional details
Complaint #201100271, January 2011
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Stop Black Male, 21 Substantiated (Instructions)
Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical) Female Unsubstantiated
Force: Pepper spray Black Male, 21 Unsubstantiated
NYPD Conclusion: Plead Guilty - DCT
Penalty: Vacation: 20 days
additional details
Complaint #201013437, September 2010
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Hispanic Male, 33 Alleged Victim Unavailable
additional details
Complaint #201012419, September 2010
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Male Complainant Uncooperative
additional details
Complaint #200919287, December 2009
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Force: Physical force Black Male, 23 Complainant Uncooperative
Force: Hit against inanimate object Black Male, 23 Complainant Uncooperative
additional details
Complaint #200917545, November 2009
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Stop Black Male, 23 Unsubstantiated
additional details
Complaint #200913539, August 2009
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Offensive Language: Race Hispanic Male, 24 Unsubstantiated
Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide name/shield number Hispanic Male, 24 Unsubstantiated
additional details
Complaint #200912110, July 2009
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Search (of person) Male Alleged Victim Unavailable
Abuse of Authority: Stop Male Alleged Victim Unavailable
additional details
Complaint #200709473, July 2007
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Question Black Male, 42 Exonerated
Abuse of Authority: Stop Black Male, 42 Substantiated (Charges)
Penalty: Instructions
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.
'Unable to Determine': The alleged conduct was investigated but could not determine both that the conduct occurred and that it broke the rules.
'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: 2012-7514
Opened: 6/21/2012
Closed: 10/10/2014
Case Details:
  1. Guilty: Did fail to do his duty in that after making the arrest of an individual known to the Department, failed to read the criminal court complaint prior to signing a supporting affidavit swearing to the accuracy of the complaint
Penalty: See Case #2012-7635 for penalty

Case: 2012-7635
Opened: 6/26/2012
Closed: 10/10/2014
Case Details:
  1. Guilty: Did abuse his authority as a Police Officer in that he improperly stopped three (3) individuals known to the Department
  2. Guilty: After having a street encounter with some individuals known to the Department, failed to make entries about the encounter in his activity log
  3. Guilty: Failed to do his duty in that after using his pepper spray during the arrest of an individual known to the Department, failed to prepare a medical treatment of prisoner form, document the use of force in his activity log or the complaint report for that individual's arrest
Penalty: Forfeiture of twenty (20) vacation days


Lawsuits

Named in 6 known lawsuits, $3,934,865 total settlements.

Joseph, Joshan vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 810859/2024E, Supreme Court - Bronx, October 31, 2024

Serrano, Devonte vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 035452/2019E, Supreme Court - Bronx, January 8, 2020
Complaint
Description: On November 14, 2017, Mr. Serrano was arrested at the 48th NYPD precinct in the Bronx, New York, in connection with an alleged assault on Felix Rodriguez that occurred on October 27, 2017. Defendants Bermudez, Gibson, and other officers (John or Jane Doe 1-10) were involved in the investigation and arrest, despite allegedly lacking probable cause. Mr. Serrano was subjected to excessive force, including tight handcuffs, and was detained without proper legal justification. He was held at the precinct and later transferred to Bronx Central Booking, where he remained for about six months at the Vernon C. Bain Correctional Center until he made bail. Mr. Serrano asserts that the arrest and prosecution were based on ...

Burrell, Jennifer vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 022563/2015E, Supreme Court - Bronx, May 8, 2015
Complaint, Summons/Complaint
Description: On or about October 9, 2013, defendant NYPD officers Cesarz, Bermudez, Papasidero and 10 John Does arrested plaintiff at her residence, claiming to have an arrest warrant, stating that a LaShawn Lambert had identified her from a photo mug shot as having robbed Ms Lambert's IPhone while threatening her with a razor. Plaintiff informed the officers that at the time of the alleged robbery she was at a bar not in the vicinity of the alleged robbery and that there was video evidence proving her alibi. Each time the case was on the calendar, the DA's office stated they were not ready for trial. Complainant twice change the time and location of the alleged robbery, but each time the video evidence proved plaintif...

Hart, Edward, et Al vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 12CV02628, U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, May 22, 2012, ended March 6, 2014
$59,750 Settlement
Amended Complaint, Stipulation
Description: Defendant officers approached Plaintiffs on the street, searched them, put them in a police van, and then sprayed Plaintiff 1 in the face with pepper spray. Plaintiffs were taken to the 48th precinct, where Plaintiff 2 was issued a summons and released, and the summons was later dismissed for facial insufficiency. Plaintiff 1 was charged with false charges that were ACD'd.

Ligon, Jaenean, et Al vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 12CV02274, U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, March 28, 2012, ended July 19, 2017
$3,800,115 Settlement
ligon.PDF
Description: Large litigation against Operation Clean Halls. Miguel Santiago (43rd precinct) is found incredible and the judge concludes that he did not truthfully fill out paperwork after one plaintiff's arrest and credits plaintiff's testimony that he was strip searched by Santiago, which Santiago denied on the stand. Santiago's partner was Landro Perez.Kieron Ramdeen, 46th Precinct. The judge finds he testified inaccurately regarding which officers he was working with on the night of the challenged arrest. He said he was not working with a ìHispanic officerî that night, after the plaintiff described one of the three officers who arrested him as Hispanic. Ramdeen's partner, PO Michael Pomerantz's memo book indicates that ...

Tracey, Brandon vs City of New York, et La.
Case # 311299/2011, Supreme Court - Bronx, January 9, 2012, ended February 10, 2016
$75,000 Settlement

Other Documents