Gianni Capozziello

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Service Record

Bridgeport Connecticut Police Department

Rank	Officer
Dates of Service	2017 - January 13, 2023.^[1]
Salary	$101,918 (2019)^[2]
Last Known Status	Terminated^[1]

Incident Reports

2018 Arrest of Gabriyel Fraser

On June 27, 2018, a resident called police to report that three men had entered her yard and stolen her child's volleyball. The woman pointed out the suspects to Officer Linet Castillo-Jimenez. As Castillo-Jimenez approached, the suspects fled. Castillo-Jimenez chased Fraser as other officers arrived.^[3]

Officers caught up to Fraser, who continued to disobey police instructions. Several officers used force to restrain Fraser. Officer Adam Szeps deployed his Taser "for less than 5 seconds" and Capozziello Tased Fraser "multiple times with the bottom portion ... to the shoulder area" before the teen "finally went to the ground after a struggle." Capozziello struct Fraser twice in the ribs with a closed fist to gain compliance.^[3]

Fraser was charged with resisting and interfering with the officers.^[3]

Response Timeline

In September 2018, the charges against Fraser were dropped.^[3]

Fraser's mother filed a complaint against Capozziello, claiming the use of excessive force.^[4]

On September 23, 2021, Capozziello was suspended for one day for violating the department's rule against the use of excessive force.^[1]

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2019 Arrest of Roberto Calderas

On July 11, 2019, Capozziello stopped Calderas for driving an unregistered vehicle. Capozziello arrested Calderas, who claimed that Capozziello "violently and maliciously struck [him] in the head with his right forearm."^[5]^[1]

Response Timeline

In October 2021, Calderas filed a lawsuit against Capozziello, the city, the Mayor, and Police Chief.^[6]

On April 3, 2023, the city agreed to settle the lawsuit for $39,000.^[5] ‎

2019 Excessive Force

Witness Video

On August 16, 2019, Capozziello saw a vehicle that matched a stolen vehicle report. A license plate check confirmed the vehicle was stolen. Capozziello called for backup and initially trailed the vehicle without activating his lights or siren. Capozziello stopped the vehicle, drew his handgun, and approached the vehicle as other officers arrived. Capozziello gave the teenaged driver instructions to stick his hands out of the window, but video shows the window was up. Capozziello claimed that the driver moved around inside the vehicle before exiting. Unable to see the driver's hands, Capozziello grabbed for his wrist while the driver struggled. Capozziello, unable to re-holster his handgun, used "the magazine well area of my pistol as an emergency impact weapon".^[1] The blow caused the driver to fall to the ground.^[4]

The teen was charged with possession with intent to sell, first-degree larceny, tampering with physical evidence, and interfering with an officer.^[4]

Part of the incident was captured by a witness and posted online the next day.^[1] The incident was captured on body-worn camera.^[4]

Response Timeline

On April 17, 2019, Capozziello was placed on paid administrative leave.^[4]

On September 29, 2022, a disciplinary hearing was held. Capozziello was suspended for 20 days for violating the department's rule against the use of excessive force.^[1]

On January 13, 2023, Capozziello was fired.^[1] ‎