Complaint #201705224,
June 20, 2017

Summary

On June 20th 2017, at approximately 4:00PM, [redacted] and [redacted] were at home at [redacted] in Brooklyn, when Det. Steve Richards of the Brooklyn South Warrant Section refused to show [redacted] and [redacted] a warrant (Allegations A and B: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]). Det. Richards and Det. William Vargas of the Brooklyn South Warrant Section entered and searched the house (Allegations C-F: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]). As Det. Richards entered, he pushed [redacted] (Allegation G: Force, [redacted]). Det. Richards threatened to arrest [redacted] (Allegation H: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]) and then pushed [redacted] (Allegation I: Force, [redacted]). Det. Vargas took hold of [redacted]'s right wrist (Allegation J: Force, [redacted]) and forcefully pulled down on the handcuff around [redacted] and by doing this interfered with [redacted]'s video recording of the incident (Allegation K: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]). Unidentified officers searched drawers throughout the house (Allegation L: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]). [redacted] who was arrested as a result of this incident, alleged that Det. Vargas and Det. Richards threatened to use force against him (Allegations M and N: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]) before unidentified officers used force against him (Allegation O: Force, [redacted]). [redacted] alleged that Det. Vargas spoke discourteously to him (Allegation P: Discourtesy, [redacted]), refused to obtain medical treatment for him (Allegation Q: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]), and used force against him (Allegation R: Force, [redacted]).
[redacted] provided video from her cell phone which captures a portion of the incident. Read report for details.