Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Cop Testifies At Stop-And-Frisk Trial: "We Were Handcuffing Kids For No Reason"
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Mar 21, 2013
Modified Mar 22, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Mar 21, 2013
Modified Mar 22, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
As the trial over the NYPD's controversial stop-and-frisk policy nears the end of its first week, two key cop whistleblowers testified yesterday that their superiors demanded stop-and-frisk quotas, saying they'd both been labeled "rats" when they complained.
Officer Adhyl Polanco, who was initially responsible for calling attention to the quotas via a series of secret recordings made back in 2009, told the court he'd been required to make five stop-and-frisks a month by union delegates and police supervisors. Polanco, who said fellow cops called him a rat after he went public with the recordings, testified officers often felt pressured to make unconstitutional stops in order to meet those quotas. "We were handcuffing kids for no reason," he said. "I don’t want my kids to get shot by a cop who’s chasing them to write a ‘250.'"
A second officer, Pedro Serrano, also called attention to the quotas on the witness stand, testifying that he was pressured by his supervisors to make at least 20 summonses and one arrest per month, and that a certain number of stop-and-frisks were added to the count. Serrano, a 7-year veteran with the 40th Precinct in the South Bronx, said he was called out for not making any stop-and-frisks in a month where he topped that quota. He complained to Internal Affairs, and found stickers stuck to his stationhouse locker that calling him a rat. "I fear they’re going to set me up and get me fired," he testified.
But while both Polanco and Serrano criticized the quotas, Polanco said he wasn't against the practice in full. "It’s a great tool, and we need [stop-and-frisk]," he said. "Because I have no problem harassing criminals." The trial continues today in federal court, exactly one week after the NYPD made its five-millionth stop-and-frisk since Mayor Bloomberg took office.
Tagged
adhyl polanco
mayor bloomberg
nypd
pedro serrano
stop and frisk
stop-and-frisk trial
Rebecca Fishbein
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .