NYPD Penalizes Lieutenant for Excessive Force
The department docked Lieutenant Nikolaos Stefopoulos 20 days of pay following a 2024 arrest incident.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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The NYPD docked Lieutenant Nikolaos Stefopoulos 20 days of pay after an administrative judge ruled he used excessive force during a February 15, 2024, arrest. The ruling concluded that the officer kicked a suspect who was already on the ground, rejecting his defense that the contact was a compliance tap.
Why it matters
The disciplinary action addresses concerns regarding officer conduct during high-speed pursuits and arrests in New York City. It highlights the rigorous review of body-worn camera footage and bystander evidence by the NYPD judicial system.
Lieutenant Nikolaos Stefopoulos has 31 civilian complaints and 109 total allegations of misconduct on his record, 20 of which were substantiated. He was previously named in six lawsuits between 2014 and 2018 that resulted in $198,001 in total settlements.
The players
Nikolaos Stefopoulos
He is an NYPD Lieutenant with 19 years of service who was found to have used excessive force.
Jessica Tisch
She serves as the Police Commissioner of the NYPD and approved the disciplinary penalty.
Brian Marchany
He was the suspect arrested by police after a high-speed car chase on February 15, 2024.
David Veloz
He is an NYPD Sergeant whose testimony was utilized by the disciplinary judge to review the incident.
The details
The disciplinary judge reviewed body-worn camera footage and testimony from Sergeant David Veloz to confirm the use of excessive force. The incident followed a vehicle pursuit where the officer reached speeds of 107 miles per hour, ending in a crash at Church Street and Park Place involving suspect Brian Marchany.
Timeline
Six lawsuits were filed against the officer between 2014 and 2018.
The arrest and head-kicking incident involving Brian Marchany occurred on February 15, 2024.
The disciplinary trial was held at One Police Plaza in March 2026.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch approved the 20-day pay penalty in August 2026.
Legal Context
This disciplinary ruling reflects the NYPD's administrative disciplinary process for excessive force involving long-serving officers. It underscores how the department relies on both internal trials and body-worn camera evidence to resolve misconduct allegations in New York City.
The use of body-worn cameras and independent administrative trials provides transparency into how New York City police officers are held accountable for misconduct. Residents can access these public disciplinary records to understand the enforcement standards applied to local law enforcement personnel.
The takeaway
The incident demonstrates how bystander videos and police body cameras are increasingly pivotal in the administrative review of officer conduct. It highlights that even officers with long tenures are subject to internal disciplinary trials when evidence contradicts their official accounts of arrests.
Further reading
For more information on department conduct policies, visit the Law Enforcement section.
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