Recent Posts in Police Brutality/Excessive Force Category

New York, New York – news sources report that a lawsuit was filed against the New York Police Department (NYPD) by the New York and American Civil Liberties Unions. Sources say the civil action was filed on January 20, 2010 and accuses the NYPD of violence and abuse of authority against 13 to 18 year old children.

One of the girls that the plaintiffs spoke with was 13 years of age. She claimed she had to spend several hours in handcuffs before she was allowed to leave the police station with her mother, who arrived later. She also alleges that police threatened to charge her with disorderly conduct, but they never followed through with their threats. 

The 13 year old told reporters that she was, “afraid to go back to school.” She also accused officers of pushing and tripping her.

According to the New York Civil Liberties Union, children were arrested by NYPD officers after simply asking to use the restroom or for writing on their desks while attending school. In the lawsuit, the Union says that there are 5,200 officers working in New York schools and that officers should receive better training before dealing with middle school and high school students.

In 2008, New York City received 1,159 complaints against state police officers for misconduct. Each year, approximately 500 residents filed police related complaints between the years 2002 to 2008.

Police officers are responsible for protecting the safety of residents and must provide security. Anytime officers breach their duty and cause people harm, people should find a personal injury lawyer that handles police brutality cases.

On Monday, jury selection began in a police brutality case in which a Michigan police officer allegedly beat an inmate.  

Veretta Burnett, 33, is accusing Sgt. Brenda Stevenson of police brutality, and is suing both Stevenson and the city of Highland Park in civil court. Burnett claims that Stevenson handcuffed her to the holding cage and began punching her repeatedly until her face began bleeding profusely. Burnett also claims she wasn’t taken to the hospital until the following morning.

According to Burnett’s lawyer, the incident was tortuous. Stevenson allegedly positioned Burnett as if she were hanging from a cross. She then put on leather gloves and punched Burnett in the face multiple times. Court records state that Burnett had blood all over her face and head. Her lawyer compared the incident to be as traumatic as getting raped.

The lawsuit also alleges that Stevenson left Burnett chained to the cage for hours and refused to let her use the restroom. She also refused to give her medical attention.

In addition to the personal injury lawsuit filed by Burnett, Stevenson is also facing criminal charges. Not only for using excessive force, but also for lying to federal investigators about the incident. Stevenson allegedly lied to investigators, claiming that Burnett put up a struggle and instigated fights between her and other officers at the station. She also said that she never punched Burnett.

Stevenson was indicted after other officers at the station backed up Burnett’s account.

Highland Park Police Chief Theodore Cadwell II said an internal investigation into the incident is currently underway.

In the meantime, Stevenson continues to work for the police department.