No one in New York or anywhere else should ever have to deal with a civil rights violation at the hands of police. Although most police officers take their oaths to protect and serve seriously, some stray. Recently, a case involving police brutality and false arrest reached a settlement, and these are the facts of that matter.
Civil rights violation at a traffic stop
In the summer of 2019, two police officers made a traffic stop that went horribly wrong. The driver faced a false arrest after his vehicle was searched and he was thrown to the ground. He pleaded with the officers and explained that he wasn’t able to move his legs because he was disabled. They didn’t listen and subsequently beat and kicked him, aggravating a previous back injury and causing him chronic, severe pain.
After the man’s arrest, he testified about the problems he’d suffered since the incident. The police officers claimed that he resisted arrest and refused to obey their commands. However, the judge in the case ended up dismissing all charges against the man, which included possession of marijuana, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, possession of a weapon and obstruction of governmental administration.
Settlement reached in the case
The victim filed a lawsuit against the city and the police department with the State Supreme Court, claiming police brutality and false arrest. Ultimately, a settlement of over $200,000 was recommended and approved. During the case, the police claimed that they went after the victim because his vehicle was stopped and blocking their path.
Counsel for the city requested that the court dismiss the lawsuit, claiming that the officers had probable cause to arrest the victim. However, those claims were countered due to the judge in the prior case asserting that the arrest was unlawful, and the man presented no threat to the police officers.
Even if you are legitimately arrested, police must treat you with respect. If you face brutality at their hands, you have a right to hold them accountable and preserve your civil rights.