Complaint #201405163,
May 21, 2014

Summary

On May 21, 2014, at approximately 12:35 a.m., near the corner of Clay Avenue and East 168th Street in the Bronx, PO Francis Flynn and PO William Cullen of the 44th Precinct observed [redacted] and his friend, [redacted] fighting in the street. Upon initially interacting with the officers, [redacted] fled the scene. While chasing [redacted], PO Flynn allegedly threatened to shoot [redacted] (Allegation A). PO Flynn allegedly grabbed [redacted]'s hair and pushed him to the ground (Allegation B). PO Flynn then struck [redacted] with a baton (Allegation C). [redacted]'s brother, [redacted], arrived at the location, and PO Flynn allegedly spoke discourteously to him and struck him with a baton (Allegations D and E). Additional officers from multiple commands responded, and an officer allegedly kneed [redacted] in the neck then officers allegedly dragged him on the ground and pushed his chest into a police vehicle (Allegations F). While transporting [redacted] to the 44th Precinct stationhouse, PO Robert Benejan of the 44th Precinct allegedly spoke discourteously to [redacted] and threw his cell phone onto the ground, damaging its screen (Allegations G and H). Once at the stationhouse where [redacted] and [redacted]'s family members were present, an officer allegedly slapped [redacted] and lifted his arms all the way up behind his back while he was in handcuffs (Allegation I). An officer also allegedly pulled [redacted]'s hair, pushed him into a gate and spoke discourteously to him, and another officer allegedly stomped on [redacted]'s hat, spat into it, and placed it on his head while speaking discourteously to him (Allegations J and K). [redacted] and [redacted] were both arrested in regards to this incident (See Board Review 1). Read report for details.