Complaint #200510359,
August 31, 2005

Summary

[redacted] a business owner, stated that at approximately 5PM on August 31, 2005 he was driving southbound on the FDR Drive toward the exit ramp that leads toward 128th and 2nd Avenue on his motorcycle. [redacted] went around the corner where the ramp leads to 128th Street where there were 3 lanes that merged into one lane and proceeded to go because the light was green. He noticed police officers to his left by the roadblock he was approaching. [redacted] proceeded to change lanes, going from the left lane to the right lane. [redacted] stated that he had been driving at approximately 5 mph for 50 feet when an officer (identified as Sgt. Hynes) grabbed his left arm, which caused him to lose control of the motorcycle for about 5 feet. [redacted] regained control and stopped the motorcycle.
[redacted] asked Sgt. Hynes why he had been stopped and asked Sgt. Hynes why he had not verbally instructed him to pull over and stop rather then grab him. Sgt. Hynes stated that he had been signaling for [redacted] to stop, however, [redacted] stated that Sgt. Hynes had not done so. Sgt. Hynes did not specify how he had been signaling [redacted] to stop and told [redacted] that he stopped him because he was "trying to get away." [redacted] stated that traffic conditions in the area were heavy and that he had been travelling at a slow enough speed where Sgt. Hynes was able to approach the vehicle and grab [redacted] The force that Sgt. Hynes used left a large bruise on [redacted] left arm, which he later documented with photographs.
While waiting to be issued summonses [redacted] began taking pictures of the location and traffic conditions with his digital camera, at which point Sgt. Hynes threatened to take away his camera saying, "You can't take pictures here. You're not allowed to take pictures here. If you don't put it away I'll take it." Read report for details.