Complaint #202400049,
December 29, 2023

Summary

On December 29, 2023, [redacted] was throwing weights at the LA Fitness gym located at 1776 Eastchester Road in the Bronx when, at 8:25 AM, Police Officers Kevin Coogan, Jonathan Reilly, Elizabeth Encarnacion, and Emily Cruz, all of the 49th Precinct, approached her. PO Encarnacion and PO Coogan grabbed [redacted], allegedly threw her to the floor, and physically restrained her (Allegations A and B: Force – Physical Force; within NYPD guidelines). PO Reilly threatened to deploy his Taser against [redacted] and told her to "fucking relax," and an officer said, "We're not doing this shit" (Allegations C and D: Abuse of Authority – Threat of Force, Discourtesy - Word; miscellaneous – subject resigned; Allegation E – Discourtesy: Word; within NYPD guidelines). PO Coogan said, "That fucking bitch punched me in the face" (Allegations F and G: Discourtesy - Word, Offensive Language – Gender; substantiated). While attempting to place [redacted] onto a stretcher, PO Coogan allegedly placed his forearm across [redacted] neck, restricting her breathing (Allegations H and I: Force – Chokehold, Restricted Breathing; unfounded). After [redacted] was placed in the ambulance, she began to pray in Latin, and PO Cruz, who had already deactivated her body-worn camera (BWC), allegedly said, "She's speaking in tongues, she's possessed. This is the work of the devil" (Allegations J, K, and L: Abuse of Authority - Improper Use of BWC, Offensive Language: Religion, Discourtesy – Word; miscellaneous - subject resigned). Sergeant Karina Bonilla of the 49th Precinct then supervised the removal of [redacted] to the hospital against her will (Allegation M: Abuse of Authority – Forcible Removal to Hospital; within NYPD guidelines). Read report for details.