Complaint #200706315,
October 28, 2006

Summary

[redacted] alleged that on October 28, 2006 at approximately 11:00 a.m., officers from the 77th Precinct punched [redacted] and struck him with an asp on the corner of Dean Street and Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn as they affected his arrest. The investigation determined that Sgt. Peter Oneill, PO Zakee Smith, PO Charlene Smith, PO Ruth Fadl, PO Edwin Espinal, PO Nicholas Savlitti, PO Hector Morales, PO Edwin Jimenez and PO Averill Thompson, all members of the 77th Precinct, were conducting a Street Narcotics Enforcement Unit (SNEU) operation on the above date. PO Charlene Smith, who was assigned to the observation post, observed [redacted] in a hand to hand drug transaction and conveyed his description over the radio (Allegation A). According to [redacted] officers ultimately identified from the investigation as PO Fadl and PO Espinal, approached him and instructed him to stop. PO Fadl and PO Espinal grabbed [redacted] and pulled him to the ground (Allegation B). PO Espinal allegedly struck [redacted] repeatedly with an asp on his arm and legs (Allegation C) and said, "Get on the mother fucking ground nigger" (Allegation D). When additional officers arrived on the scene, [redacted] alleged that two unidentified officers slammed him into a vehicle (Allegation E). [redacted] was transported to the 77th Precinct station house where he alleged that he was strip searched (Allegation F) and numerous officers, including PO Espinal, refused to obtain medical attention for him (Allegations G & H). [redacted] was transported to [redacted] from Brooklyn Central Booking and was diagnosed swelling to his arms and legs. Read report for details.