Complaint #202003240,
May 2, 2020

Summary

On May 2, 2020, at approximately 5:00p.m., [redacted] was inside Brower Park in Brooklyn and saw officers, including Police Officer Matthew Melendez of the 77th Precinct, point their guns at [redacted] (Allegations A and B: Force, [redacted]). PO Melendez also pointed his taser at [redacted] (Allegation C: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]). As officers were escorting [redacted] out of the park, Police Officers Michael Napolitano and Malcom Brissettortiz of the 77th Precinct turned around and approached [redacted]. PO Napolitano used a chokehold against [redacted] to bring him to the ground, and while doing so, restricted [redacted] breathing (Allegations D, E and F: Force, [redacted]). Once on the ground, PO Napolitano punched [redacted], placed his hands on the back of [redacted] head and pushed his face into the ground (Allegations G and H: Force, [redacted]). While officers were arresting [redacted] inside the park, PO Melendez was placing [redacted] in the back of a police vehicle and said that [redacted] was, "playing fucking stupid" (Allegation I: Discourtesy, [redacted]). [redacted] allegedly kicked PO Melendez in the face and in response, PO Melendez asked [redacted] if he was "fucking retarded" and made several other profane remarks (Allegation J: Discourtesy, [redacted] Allegation K: Offensive Language, [redacted]). While [redacted] was being escorted out of the park, an unidentified individual requested PO Napolitano's shield number, which he refused to provide (Allegation L: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]). Once [redacted] was placed inside a police vehicle, Police Officer Christian Feraca said to [redacted], "Stop fucking spitting. No fucking spitting in here" (Allegation M: Discourtesy, [redacted]). [redacted] was transported back to the 77th Precinct stationhouse where PO Napolitano said to him, "If I see you again, I'm going to fucking crack you again" (Allegation N: Discourtesy, [redacted] Allegation O: Abuse of Authority; [redacted]). While at the stationhouse, [redacted] allegedly requested... Read report for details.