Nicholas Sofokles
Newburgh,NY
Summary
NYPD Detective (2nd Grade) with over 19 years of experience specializing in violent crime investigations, gang enforcement, firearms cases, and prosecutorial case development. Extensive experience working directly with District Attorneys on complex, long-term investigations. Expert in video evidence recovery, analysis, and courtroom presentation. Proven track record of building prosecutable cases resulting in convictions in homicides and other violent crime investigations.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Detective 2nd Grade — Queens District Attorney Squad
New York City Police Department (NYPD)
Kew Gardens, NY
11.2022 - Current
- Partner directly with Assistant District Attorneys to develop and prosecute felony cases
- Prepare and present cases for grand jury and trial proceedings
- Develop comprehensive case files, reports, and evidentiary summaries
- Create advanced video compilations integrating multiple evidence sources for courtroom presentation
- Ensure proper evidence handling and legal compliance throughout investigations
- Conducted court ordered DNA samples for comparison to DNA evidence recovered at crime scenes.
- Conducted prisoner extraditions and renditions from across the country.
- Extensively testified at trial and grand jury presentations
Detective (2nd Grade / 3rd Grade) — Gun Violence Strategies Partnership / Gun Violence Suppression Division
New York City Police Department (NYPD)
Brooklyn
02.2016 - 11.2022
- Conducted long-term investigations into violent offenders and firearm-related crimes
- Executed 50+ search warrants as an entry team member
- Conducted long term gang conspiracy investigations that involved multiple homicides and shooting incidents.
- Organized and categorized all evidence related to those investigations.
- Conducted extensive video canvasses that recovered video spanning long distances
- Expert in reviewing and compiling recovered video evidence into video compilations for grand jury and trial presentations.
- Monitored and transcribed court-authorized eavesdropping warrants
- Collaborated in multi-agency operations targeting violent crime
Detective 3rd Grade — Queens Gang Squad
New York City Police Department (NYPD)
Astoria
10.2012 - 02.2016
- Investigated gang-related violence
- Conducted street related enforcement to address gang and crew related violence.
- Cultivated confidential information
- Conducted controlled buys or narcotics and firearms with undercover detectives and confidential informants
- Assisted in development of complex indictments in collaboration with prosecutors
- Conducted surveillance and intelligence-driven investigations
Police Officer — Anti-Crime / Patrol, 90th Precinct
New York City Police Department (NYPD)
Brooklyn
07.2007 - 10.2012
- Conducted proactive enforcement targeting violent offenders
- Participated in plainclothes anti-crime operations
- Participated in undercover vice related operations
- Addressed precinct conditions and quality of life violations
Police Officer — Patrol, 73rd Precinct
New York City Police Department (NYPD)
Brooklyn
12.2006 - 07.2007
- Responded to emergency calls and conducted preliminary investigations
- Patrol related functions.
Education
Police Academy
New York City Police Academy
New York01-2006
Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice
SUNY Orange
Middletown12-2005
Skills
- Executed 50 search warrants as part of a tactical team
- Extensive experience with wiretaps and eavesdropping warrant monitoring
- Managed confidential informants and undercover operations
- Investigated multi-year gang conspiracy cases involving 30 defendants
- Testified in 700 grand jury and trial proceedings
- Developed video evidence that secured convictions in multiple homicide and violent crime cases
- Created 700 video compilations for courtroom presentation
- Instructor for the NYPD Criminal Investigators Course
- Expert in video recovery from residential and commercial DVR systems
- DNA evidence collection (buccal swabs)
- Detailed investigative report writing
Certification
Techsmith - Camtasia - Voyager Certification
Techsmith - Camtasia - Explorer Certification
Timeline
Detective 2nd Grade — Queens District Attorney Squad
New York City Police Department (NYPD)
11.2022 - Current
Detective (2nd Grade / 3rd Grade) — Gun Violence Strategies Partnership / Gun Violence Suppression Division
New York City Police Department (NYPD)
02.2016 - 11.2022
Detective 3rd Grade — Queens Gang Squad
New York City Police Department (NYPD)
10.2012 - 02.2016
Police Officer — Anti-Crime / Patrol, 90th Precinct
New York City Police Department (NYPD)
07.2007 - 10.2012
Police Officer — Patrol, 73rd Precinct
New York City Police Department (NYPD)
12.2006 - 07.2007
Police Academy
New York City Police Academy
Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice
SUNY Orange
AWARDS
Unit Citation (2021)
Meritorious Police Duty
Excellent Police Duty
Detective Bureau Training Unit Appreciation Award
TRAINING
NYPD Search Warrant Training
NYPD Auto Crime Training
NYPD Surveillance Training
NYPD Criminal Investigators Course
NYPD Homicide Course
NYPD Dignitary Protection
INSTRUCTIONAL EXPERIENCE
- NYPD Criminal Investigation Course Instructor
- Instruct detectives in video evidence recovery, organization, and courtroom presentation
- Teach legal standards related to digital evidence
- Train investigators in case preparation for prosecution