Complaint #201308034,
August 12, 2013

Summary

On August 21, 2013, a [redacted] employee, called the IAB command center to report this incident, which she had observed on video (encl. b2). A referral to the CCRB was received on August 30, 2013. At approximately 8:00 p.m. on August 12, 2013, [redacted] was inside a Target retail store located at 700 Exterior Street in the Bronx. [redacted] was caught shoplifting by Target Asset Protection employees, identified as [redacted] and [redacted]. [redacted] and an officer assigned to a paid detail identified as PO Erik Vecvagars, brought [redacted] to a holding cell inside the building and [redacted] was handcuffed to a bench inside the cell, where he remained for the next 90 minutes. At approximately 9:33 p.m., two officers from the 44th Precinct identified as PO Kimm Cruse and PO Ronald Taylor, arrived at the holding cell, removed the handcuffs attached to the bench, and rear-handcuffed [redacted]. PO Cruse stood in an adjacent room while PO Taylor remained in the holding cell with [redacted] seated on the bench. [redacted] heard PO Cruse state that he was going to throw away [redacted] personal belongings and PO Cruse placed items that had been removed from [redacted] backpack and pockets into a trash bin (Allegation A). In response, [redacted] stood up and verbally protested. As [redacted] stood facing PO Taylor with his hands handcuffed behind his back, PO Taylor physically assaulted [redacted] striking him multiple times in the head, putting pressure on his neck, and slamming his head against the holding cell wall (Allegations B-D).
IAB Group 54 conducted an investigation into this incident. That investigation substantiated allegations of unnecessary force and assault against PO Taylor. Allegations of failure to safeguard property, failure to intervene, and failure to notify IAB were substantiated against PO Cruse. (encl. d22-25)
[redacted] Read report for details.