Wilson Morales was shot by Buffalo police officers after a car chase on the city’s East Side. The bullet that struck Morales, then a 17-year-old student at WNY Maritime Charter School, instantly paralyzed him from the chest down.

Outcome

Morales, who is still recuperating, faces trial on charges of assaulting a police officer and unlawfully fleeing from a police officer.

Buffalo’s Common Council authorized one of the largest lawsuit settlements in the city’s history: $4.5 million to Morales. A grand jury cleared Officer Karl B. Schultz and a partner at the time, Jason R. Whitenight, agreeing they fired in self-defense as the teenager backed the van he was driving toward Whitenight at the tail-end of a high-speed chase.

On June 21, 2012, a 20 year-old man was gunned down by 7 officers near his house on Locust St. The civilian suffered from bipolar disorder and called the police on his birthday after he and his mother got into a scuffle. He was clearly suffering, according to witness accounts, and against the pleading of friends and family, the entire team of RPD opened fire and killed him. There was no provocation. One of the officers is Brian Cala.

Outcome

None

Gonzales was one of seven officers that shot and killed an individual. The man suffered from bipolar disorder and was armed. Some witnesses contradict police reports that the man aimed the gun at the police. The individual had called 911 after claiming he stabbed his mom.

Outcome

None of the officers were disciplined. victim sued the RPD but the case was dismissed.

Buffalo police on the lookout for a stolen cruiser around 5 a.m. on a May 5th, 2012 pulled over 25-year-old John Sordetto, who "fit the description." Sordetto was innocent of the car theft, but officer Mark Andrzejak attempted to handcuff him before a scuffle ensued during which Andrzejak fatally shot and killed Sordetto.

While attempting to turn around on a marked path in his police vehicle, officer failed to observe a concrete barrier, and struck it, causing damage to the vehicle.

Outcome

Letter of Reprimand noting that this was his third avoidable police vehicle accident in 36 months.

According to DavyVBlog, RPD Officer Kevin Flanagan, together with RPD Officers Richard Doran and Joel Hasper, drove the wrong way up a one way street, pulled up, and grabbed a man bringing him over to an RPD cruiser. As the civilian's family and neighbors questioned what was going on, the officers became angry and started pepper spraying onlookers (including a pregnant woman and an elderly woman in her 60s) and arrested some of them. They also pepper sprayed the man, tasered him multiple times, and beat him. They confiscated witnesses cell phones as well.

Outcome

The man who was arrested and assaulted was charged with resisting arrest and felony assault on a police officer. He was found innocent by a jury in April 2013.

According to Davy V. Blog, Officer Benjamin Mitchell shoved, pepper-sprayed, and confiscated the phone of a person who was placed under arrest.

Buffalo Police officers and SWAT moved in around 2 a.m. arrested 10 demonstrators in Niagara Square and evicted the Occupy Buffalo encampment from its downtown location near city hall.

The city's deadline for the protesters to accept a new agreement to remain in the square until early March expired at midnight. The city only gave the protesters five hours, 7pm‐12am, to discuss the new terms of the agreement. During negotiations, Occupy Buffalo had requested more time. The city refused. Consequently the inability to reach consensus led to their inability to sign the agreement.

As part of the city's offer to drop disorderly conduct charges against the ten protestors arrested during the overnight eviction from Niagara Square, the protestors agreed not to encamp within a three mile radius of Niagara Square. If they complied, the charges would be dropped.

According to Indymedia reporting on a lawsuit filed, Jason Cropo was among a group of officers who assaulted a civilian--the man got out of his car and started to run from police. Police ordered him to get on the ground; as he was complying, the officers proceeded to assault him with their "hands, clubs or batons, cap shun, aerosol mace and/or pepper sprays, without justification or provocation." The man was then tasered repeatedly while laying on the ground.

Outcome

Civil suit settled with the city--no details as to what the settlement entailed

Brian Flint was one of six RPD officers who attacked a civilian as he exited a vehicle and complied with a directive to get on the ground according to a civil suit brought by the civilian. The six officers attacked the civilian using hands, batons, and pepper spray. After handcuffing him, officers tasered him while he was on the ground. The man lost his left eye as a result of the beating.

Outcome

The man received monetary damages for the civil suit.

According to the initial complaint, "on December 9, 2011, at approximately 1:35 p.m.," [Civilian] got out of his car on Avenue D and started to run from police. Police gave chase and he was ordered to the ground. [Civilian] complied and "laid face down on the ground." As he was complying, several officers, including Christopher Kosch and Nicholas Thomas, proceeded to "brutally attacked by the gathered officers." Each officer assaulted the civilian with their "hands, clubs or batons, cap shun, aerosol mace and/or pepper sprays, without justification or provocation." The complaint continues that the civilian was "also punched, kicked and struck with various objects about his head, face and body. After being handcuffed [civilian] was tasered repeatedly while laying on the ground. Other officer and superivsing officers present at the scene did nothing to stop this assault, use of excessive force and physical brutality."

Because of the police assault on his body, the civilian "suffered cuts, lacerations, bruises, swelling and pain over his entire body. He also sustained swelling, pain and bleeding from his left eye." The complaint continues, "As a direct result of these circumstances, [civilian] left eye was surgically removed..."

Outcome

Right before the trial was to start, the city settled. There are no details as to what the settlement entailed.

During a police investigation, Officer Camilo took possession of items stolen in a robbery. He placed these items on the hood of his police car and drove away. As a result of this action, evidence was lost.

Outcome

Letter of reprimand for failure to maintain custody and properly handle evidence.

According to Rochester IndyMedia, Randy Book shot and killed a 43 year old Black man from Barbados, in front of his wife and stepchildren. According to IndyMedia, Officer Book ordered the victim to drop a knife, but before the victim was even able to comply with the order, Book opened fire, shooting him a total of five times and hitting him three.

Outcome

None

Scratched the police car

According to disciplinary files, officer conducted false arrest and unwarranted search

According to Roc Indy Media, the victim was allegedly arrest by officers Gabriel Person and Thomas Luciano after filming the officers stopping and frisking a group of people of color. Police charged the victim with obstruction of governmental administration, failure to cross at a cross-walk, possession of a weapon, possession of marijuana, and disorderly conduct for refusing to give his name to an officer attempting to write him a ticket for jaywalking.

Outcome

None, The District Attorney, Elanor Biggers offered the victim a plea bargain; the victim would plead guilty to disorderly conduct and do 40 hours of community service. The victim also owed the court a surcharge of $120

Curtis Cunningham pled guilty to violating Rochester Police Department rules and regulations Section 3.2: Conducting Private Business or Association on Duty. Appears to have no victim.

Outcome

Suspension without pay for 10 working days

Officers Arron Wilcox and Thomas Luciano allegedly were discourteous and unprofessional during a traffic stop with the victim. After the victim called in a complaint against the officers, the officers allegedly responded to the victims residence and attempted to issue the victim a traffic ticket. The victim alleges the officers forcibly entered the entrance door of his apartment without cause and used unnecessary or excessive force during his arrest.

Outcome

Unknown due to incomplete City of Rochester Public Records. Investigative Summary P.S.S 10-1291 stated:
Allegation #1 Investigation of Courtesy Unprovable
Allegation 2 Investigation of Courtesy Exonerated
Allegation 3 Investigation of Procedure Sustained
Allegation 4 Investigation of Procedure Exonerated
Allegation 5 Investigation of Force Unfounded

Passenger while police cruiser hit and killed 14 y.o. boy

According to RPD Profession Standards Section charges, officer Lucero, while operating his marked fleet vehicle in the area of Bay Street near Portland Avenue, allegedly failed to maintain proper control of his vehicle when attempting to stop; the vehicle slid and struck another westbound vehicle. The actions caused damage to both vehicles. This is the third avoidable fleet vehicle accident in a 36-month period.

Outcome

Guilty plea for third avoidable fleet vehicle accident in a 36-month period. Letter of Reprimand