Incidents (301 documented)
Incident 80 |
|
Date | Oct 18, 2019 |
Department | Rochester Police Department |
Officers | Adam J. Devincentis |
Description | According to Spectrum news, DeVincentis chased a victim and there was fighting for several minutes Outcomenone |
Address |
First St
near Miller St
Rochester, NY |
Incident 126 |
|
Date | Sep 19, 2019 |
Department | Rochester Police Department |
Officers | Connor C. Edwards |
Description | According to court documents, one 8th grade victim was waiting to be picked up by their mother from a school bus that had stopped and the driver called dispatch because other students had gotten into an altercation when RPD officers Edwards, Sterling, Pedicone, and Mendez approached the bus aggressively with mace. After the bus driver opening the door to let the child victim out, saying out-loud that they were not one of the students in the fight, the officers pushed, maced, forced to the ground and arrested both the child and an adult victim attempting to pick up the child with their mother. OutcomeCourt case undergoing mediation. No disciplinary actions |
Address |
Glenwood Ave
near Lake Ave
Rochester, NY |
Incident 225 |
|
Date | Sep 01, 2019 |
Department | Buffalo Police Department |
Officers | Christopher D. Bridgett , Kyle T. Moriarity |
Description | Buffalo Officers Kyle T Moriarity and Christopher Bridgett attacked, assaulted, and seized Dean Taylor, a Black man, without just cause or provocation, while he stood on a street corner taking a video of police activity down the street. Moriarity and Bridgett struck Taylor numerous times, dragged him to a police vehicle and handcuffed him behind his back. |
Address | Buffalo, NY |
Incident 303 |
|
Date | Aug 15, 2019 |
Department | Buffalo Police Department |
Officers | Lawrence L. Briggs Ii , Ryan M. Sanders |
Description | On August 15, 2019, at approximately 11:00 PM, a Buffalo resident was operating his vehicle at a busy intersection with parked cars on both sides. He momentarily stopped at the corner to allow a passenger to exit the vehicle. Buffalo Police Officers Lawrence Briggs and Ryan Sanders, on patrol at the same intersection, activated their cruiser’s lights in response to what they deemed a traffic obstruction. When the man did not immediately move his vehicle, both officers exited their vehicle and approached him. Officer Briggs approached the passenger’s side window (which was closed) and stated, “There’s a blunt in there? Get him out [of] the car.” The man acknowledged the presence of a blunt in the vehicle and became visibly upset when Officer Briggs opened his door. Despite expressing agitation and cursing, he complied with the command to exit the vehicle. Officer Sanders led the man to the side of the vehicle, where he placed his hands on top of the car. Officer Briggs gave repeated commands for him to spread his legs and bring his feet back. The man stated he was complying and repeatedly informed the officers that he was disabled. As Officer Briggs attempted to arrest the man, he commanded him to place his hands behind his back. The man, still stating that he was disabled and keeping his hands visible atop the vehicle, was unable comply. Officer Briggs then threw the man to the ground, during which the man screamed in pain, citing a pre-existing neck injury. On the ground, Officer Briggs initially pinned the man on his back, then rolled him onto his stomach. The man continued to express severe pain and stated multiple times, “I’m not trying to resist.” Officers then called for medical assistance. OutcomeThe man was transported to a hospital where he was diagnosed with a cervical fracture and ligament damage. He had documented pre-existing spinal and shoulder conditions. The man was initially charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, obstruction of governmental administration (2nd degree), criminal possession of marijuana (5th degree), and criminal possession of a weapon (4th degree – knife found in vehicle). All charges were ultimately dismissed following suppression of the blunt evidence. In his arrest paperwork, Officer Briggs wrote that the man said, “I’ll beat your ass.” He later retracted this after rewatching the BWC footage, which showed no such statement. Officer Briggs claimed the blunt was burning; however, BWC footage and Sanders’ testimony did not support this. The incident violated a directive issued by Mayor Byron Brown in early 2019, which directed the Buffalo Police Department to cease enforcement of low-level marijuana possession offenses. Use of force under these circumstances was found to be unreasonable and excessive under Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386 (1989), particularly given the low-level nature of the alleged offense and the Complainant’s physical condition and non-threatening behavior. Internal Affairs Division exonerated both officers. A civil lawsuit was filed against the City of Buffalo, the Buffalo Police Department, Police Officer Lawrence Briggs, and Police Officer Ryan Sanders. The lawsuit was settled for $210,000. |
Address |
Victoria Avenue
Buffalo, NY |
Incident 19MP006253 |
|
Date | Aug 09, 2019 |
Time | 05:15 AM |
Report # | 19MP006253 |
Department | Montpelier Police Department |
Officers | Chad Bean , Chris Quesnel |
Description | Cpl. Chad Bean shot and killed a 62-year old man after responding to call of an attempted break-in. Chief Medical Examiner determined cause of death was “homicide/shot by police.” |
Address |
Spring Street
Montpelier, VT |
Incident 59 |
|
Date | Jul 24, 2019 |
Department | Rochester Police Department |
Officers | Patrice R. Allen |
Description | According to City of Rochester public records, Officer Allen plead guilty to the New York State violation disorderly conduct in Niagara Falls, NY City Court. There is no further information on the disorderly conduct charge. OutcomeOfficer Allen received ten days' suspension without pay |
Address | Rochester, NY |
Incident 20 |
|
Date | Jul 04, 2019 |
Department | Burlington Police Department |
Officers | Brandon Del Pozo |
Description | del Pozo harassed a local activist on social media, lied about it to the press, and then eventually admitted it and resigned when presented with evidence. |
Address | Burlington, VT |
Incident 226 |
|
Date | May 27, 2019 |
Department | Buffalo Police Department |
Officers | Anthony Burvid , Patrick D. Boice , John M. Davidson , Patrick S. Garry , Jenny M. Velez , Anthony J. Mchugh , Matthew Vaughn |
Description | Police pulled over Bruce McNeil, a city resident, in May 2019 for a vehicle violation. The officers searched McNeil’s car, found nothing, and let him go without even a ticket for the license plate bulb they claimed was not working. McNeil was mad about the stop. He believed his civil rights were violated, that they had no right or reason to search his car. And he found damage on the hood that he said police caused during the search. McNeil went to file a complaint against the officers with Internal Affairs and he alleged in a civil lawsuit that a lieutenant on duty refused to accept his complaint and threatened to arrest him for possession of drugs if he did not leave. McNeil left, but came back to the police station, this time with his mother, who demanded that he get a complaint filed. Police then arrested him on charges of possession of crack cocaine. The two officers alleged in the police report that they found the crack cocaine after a sweep of the police vehicle in the vicinity of where McNeil sat. A judge did not believe the story. McNeil was acquitted by a bench trial and is now suing the city and the police officers for wrongful arrest. |
Address |
Broadway Street
Buffalo, NY |
Incident 14 |
|
Date | May 19, 2019 |
Department | Vermont Capitol Police |
Officers | Matthew S. Romei |
Description | During the arrest of several demonstrators during a protest at the statehouse, VCP Chief Romei threatened to arrest several journalists who attempted to document the event. |
Address |
State St.
Montpelier, VT |
Incident 143 |
|
Date | Apr 19, 2019 |
Department | Rochester Police Department |
Officers | Joel A. Hasper |
Description | According to a suit, Officer Hasper made a false and retaliatory arrest and used excessive force in connection with the arrest |
Address | Rochester, NY |
Incident 277 |
|
Date | Apr 07, 2019 |
Time | 02:40 AM |
Department | Buffalo Police Department |
Officers | John M. Davidson , Patrick S. Garry |
Description | Around 2:40 a.m. on April 7, 2019, four Buffalo residents returned from Tim Horton’s and parked in one the resident's driveway. As they prepared to exit the vehicle, Buffalo Police Officers John Davidson and Patrick Garry approached in a patrol car. Without explanation the officers aggressively ordered them back into the car, issuing threats of lethal violence. Officer Garry said, “Get the fuck back into the vehicle,” and “Don’t move or I’ll end all of you right now, and put all of your brains over the dashboard.” Two of the Buffalo residents explained to the officers that they had pre-existing leg injuries, but the officers proceeded to assault and repeatedly slam the vehicle doors on their legs, despite their protests. Officer Garry also punched one of the residents. The residents were then unlawfully detained, searched, and harassed, with no legal justification. Officers placed the residents in a patrol car, searched the vehicle without cause, and emptied an unopened bottle of Hennessy. They also threatened nearby residents who attempted to record the encounter. Further misconduct included throwing one of the residents to the ground, stealing $300, and taking a cell phone. When the residents asked the officers’ names to file a complaint, the officers refused, provided false information about their precinct, and continued their unlawful actions. OutcomeA civil suit was brought against the City of Buffalo and both Buffalo Police officers. A settlement was reached for two of the plaintiffs for $5,001 each in 2021. Settlement was reached for $15,000 and $20,000 for the other two plaintiffs in 2024. The total amount that city was required to pay out to plaintiffs as a result of police brutality in this case was $45,002. There was no known disciplinary action taken against the officers. |
Address |
Leslie St
Buffalo, NY |
Incident 17 |
|
Date | Mar 11, 2019 |
Department | Burlington Police Department |
Officers | Cory Campbell |
Description | Officer Cory Campbell punched Douglas Kilburn, who died three days later. Kilburn's death was ruled a homicide, but the attorney general did not pursue charges against Campbell. Campbell had responded to a University of Vermont Medical Center call that Kilburn was irate. After Kilburn saw his wife and was in his car outside, Campbell approached Kilburn again and told him to "shut the fuck up and leave", after which Kilburn left his car, punched Campbell, and Campbell punched him back, eventually killing him. |
Address | Burlington, VT |
Incident 235 |
|
Date | Mar 06, 2019 |
Time | 06:20 AM |
Department | Buffalo Police Department |
Officers | Clayton P. Reed , Michael J. Healy , Michael Ross , Ellen M. Taylor , Judith M. Bigelow , Michael D. Long , Patrick E. Morrow , Robert E. Lee |
Description | Buffalo Police officers forcibly removed from a vehicle and mercilessly beat Robert Closs, a 78 year old man who was well known to the Buffalo Police Department as a citizen with mental health problems. Closs died approximately three weeks later from blunt force trauma caused by the brutality. |
Address | Buffalo, NY |
Incident 251 |
|
Date | Dec 12, 2018 |
Time | 11:30 AM |
Department | Buffalo Police Department |
Officers | Joseph Meli |
Description | Police say security from the Wegmans on Amherst Street reported a shoplifter at 11:20 p.m. An on-duty lieutenant who happened to be in the store was informed the suspect had ran. Approximately eight minutes later, officers located the suspect, 47-year-old Marcus Neal, across the street. They chased Neal on foot to Gladstone Street. Police said Neal ran into a yard and climbed up onto a flat-roof garage. Multiple officers pursued him up there. According to police, once up there, he produced a knife but refused multiple requests to drop it. They claim that Neal then charged the officers with the knife, and one of the officers opened fire, striking him. Neal’s family disputes the conclusion that nothing could have been done to spare his life and questions whether the events of that freezing night unfolded exactly as police have said. Neal was transported to Erie County Medical Center and immediately put into surgery. He later died from his injuries. OutcomeBecause of the presence of an alleged knife, Neal’s death was not investigated by the New York State Attorney General, which, under Executive Order No. 147 acts as a special prosecutor in deaths of unarmed citizens by police. The Erie County District Attorney’s Office did investigate. Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said that the shooting was justified. No charges were filed against the officer. |
Address |
Gladstone Street
Buffalo, NY |
Incident 213 |
|
Date | Dec 08, 2018 |
Department | Rochester Police Department |
Officers | Kelly Mackin |
Description | Officer Kelly Mackin fired her service weapon at a vehicle of suspect and hit it. Outcomeadministrative duty |
Address |
Melville St
Rochester, NY |
Incident 208 |
|
Date | Nov 13, 2018 |
Department | Rochester Police Department |
Officers | Korey M. Mcnees |
Description | According to D&C, McNees allegedly recommended an illegal breaking and entering to a civilian and then when a civilian in the house pulled out a gun to protect themselves, the civilian with the gun was arrested for possession OutcomeCity paid $100,000 in damages |
Address |
Genesee Park Boulevard
Rochester, NY |
Incident 64 |
|
Date | Oct 19, 2018 |
Department | Rochester Police Department |
Officers | Javier Algarin |
Description | Several media sources show the officer entering the wrong yard without warning, then shooting a friendly dog who'd just been let out into the yard. Body-worn camera footage showed the death. Lawsuits were brought against the city. Outcomeunknown |
Address | Rochester, NY |
Incident 168 |
|
Date | Oct 11, 2018 |
Department | Rochester Police Department |
Officers | Brian Phillips |
Description | Allegedly involved in shootout with several other officers that left a person dead |
Address |
Post Ave
Rochester, NY |
Incident 13 |
|
Date | Oct 06, 2018 |
Department | Burlington Police Department |
Officers | Bryan V. Kirby , Jason M. Bellavance , Cory Campbell |
Description | Officers Bellavance, Hodges, Kirby, and Cambpell of the BPD broke Mohamed Luhizo's jaw during an arrest. In video captured from an officer's body camera, Hodges can be seen slamming his knee into Luhizo's face while Luhizo is on the ground, breaking his jaw. Luhizo, who is black, filed suit, alleging excessive force and racial bias. |
Address |
South Winooski Ave.
Burlington, VT |
Incident 18 |
|
Date | Sep 19, 2018 |
Time | 12:00 AM |
Department | Burlington Police Department |
Officers | Cory Campbell , Jason M. Bellavance |
Description | Officers Campbell and Bellavance responded to What Ale's You after a call by the bar owner. Bellavance pushes Jeremie Meli, whose head slams into a wall and is unresponsive. When his brother asks Campbell if they can stop, Campbell and Bellavance pull him the ground. Summary based on body cam footage from the linked article: "Meli says “you guys started the fight.” Bellavance then shoves him, and Meli falls over and slams his head into wall outside the building. A loud thump can be heard in the video, and his eyes can be seen rolling back. His brother, Albin Meli, can be heard in the video saying that Jeremie Meli was unresponsive. Later, after officers had handcuffed Jeremie Meli, who had regained consciousness, Albin Meli puts his hand on Officer Cory Campbell’s shoulder and asks, “I’m sorry to say this, but can you please tell them to stop?” Bellavance and Campbell then pull Albin Meli to the ground. Medics later arrived on the scene to treat Jeremie Meli, and were told by Bellavance he lost consciousness." |
Address | Burlington, VT |