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.
'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.
Named in 2 known lawsuits, $35,000 total settlements.
Dankwah, Michael vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 511263/2022,
Supreme Court - Kings, May 12, 2022, ended April 24, 2024
$25,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On June 18, 2021 at around 10PM, PO Jiantong Li, Meir Benishai, and other officers illegally stopped the Plaintiff on the sidewalk while he was walking towards his friend who was pulled over by the defendants. Officers including Li and Benishai approached the plaintiff without probable cause, reasonable suspicion, warrant, or justification and accused the plaintiff of a criminal offense. They proceeded to violently push the plaintiff's arms behind their back to handcuff them which was incredibly painful to the plaintiff resulting in a loss of feeling and swelling.
The plaintiff was transported to the 60th precinct before being transported to Coney Island Hospital due to chest pain and anxiety while remaining...
Reynolds, Keemont vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 502576/2022,
Supreme Court - Kings, February 8, 2022, ended February 29, 2024
$10,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On December 6, 2020, as the plaintiff was exiting a vehicle parked on a street, defendant police officers, including Meir R. Benishai, approached the vehicle. The defendant officers stuck their hands in the window, opened the door, pulled the plaintiff out of the vehicle, and handcuffed him. The defendant officers punched the plaintiff four to five times, kneed him in the ribs and legs six to seven times, and choked him three times, causing injuries that took six months to heal. Despite the plaintiff repeatedly asking what he was being charged with, the defendant officers did not answer and instead tightened the handcuffs. After the plaintiff was taken to a precinct, the defendant officers provided the District...
