Complaint #202103192,
March 2, 2021

Summary

On March 2nd, 2021, [redacted] and his friend were sitting outside of their friend's apartment on the [redacted] floor of [redacted] in Manhattan, part of the NYCHA [redacted] and his friend smoked a marijuana cigarette while they waited for another friend to finish showering. At about 4:30 p.m., Police Officers Roberson Tunis and Shantal Melendez of the 24th Precinct, who were conducting a routine interior patrol, approached [redacted] and his friend. The two men entered the building stairwell, and PO Tunis and PO Melendez followed behind them. PO Tunis grabbed [redacted] jacket, and allegedly brought him forcibly to the ground. [Allegation A: Force – Physical Force, [redacted]] In the course of restraining [redacted] PO Tunis drew his firearm [Allegation B: Abuse of Authority - Firearm drawn, [redacted]] and allegedly pointed it at [redacted] [Allegation C: Force - Firearm pointed, [redacted]] Shortly thereafter, PO Melendez ordered [redacted] to give up his "fucking" hand [Allegation D: Discourtesy – Word, [redacted]] PO Tunis allegedly punched [redacted] in his legs multiple times [Allegation E: Force – Physical Force, [redacted]] PO Melendez allegedly applied the weight of her body against [redacted] torso, causing him difficulty breathing [Allegation F: Force – Restricted Breathing, [redacted]] At the 24th Precinct stationhouse, PO Tunis conducted a strip search of [redacted] [Allegation G: Abuse of Authority – Strip Search, [redacted]] and later allegedly asked [redacted] if he was "retarded" [Allegation H: Offensive Language – Mental Status, [redacted] Allegation I: Discourtesy – Word, [redacted]] [redacted] was ultimately charged with criminal trespass in the third degree and possession of marijuana. Read report for details.