FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New York Civil Rights Lawyer Eric Sanders, Esq., of The Sanders Firm, P.C., alleges in a notice of claim that Karim Powell was ‘falsely arrested’ by white colleagues which was covered up
New York, NY, May 24, 2018 — Karim Powell claims on March 27, 2017, he was operating a 2001 Honda Accord traveling southbound on Paulding Avenue.
According to the claim, while traveling onto Colden Avenue Powell noticed a marked police vehicle behind with its lights activated. The vehicle was occupied with 2 Caucasian male police officers.
Powell claims, the operator approached the driver side of the vehicle and requested his driver’s license and registration and he replied, “I’m on the job.”
After the operator was ‘satisfied,’ the recorder from the passenger side approached the driver side, ‘seized’ his ignition key and said, “Fuck that shit!”
The recorder then walked away with Powell’s ignition key while talking on a cellular telephone, according to the claim.
Approximately 3-5 mins later, the recorder ordered Powell to step out of his vehicle then demanded his NYPD identification card again and threatened to place him in handcuffs.
Powell claims, that the recorder said, “He’s in charge.”
The recorder then ordered Powell to turn around and ‘arrested’ him for some ‘unknown’ violation of the law.
The claim notes, after standing outside approximately 10-15 minutes, a Caucasian male police supervisor responded and ordered the officers to place Powell into his police vehicle.
Shortly thereafter, the operator removed the handcuffs. The platoon commander arrived then ordered Powell to surrender his firearm and police credentials.
According to the claim, the platoon commander ordered the patrol supervisor to transport him to report to the 47th Precinct and the police ‘seized’ his vehicle.
Inside of the 47th Precinct, the 2 Caucasian male officers accused him of ‘evasive’ driving. The recorder ‘admitted’ that he knew Powell from a prior interaction regarding a parked vehicle.
Powell claims, the officers are ‘lying’ and the GPS data from their assigned police vehicle will prove it.
According to the claim, the PBA Delegate ‘discouraged’ him from challenging the ‘veracity’ of the officers’ claims.
After about 5.5 hours in police custody, Powell was interviewed by the a Caucasian male Duty Captain then held another 2 hours or so.
Powell claims, shortly thereafter, a Caucasian male Lieutenant assigned to Bronx Investigations told him he was placed on ‘Modified Duty’ status and ordered him to report to the Identification Section to obtain a new police identification card.
Shortly thereafter, Powell claims the Department Advocate’s Office served him with Charges and Specifications accusing him of ‘failure to show ID.’
“Unfortunately, this is part a long never-ending pattern of cases where officers of color are abused by their Caucasian colleagues. When is the department going to take these matters seriously,?” says Eric Sanders.
Eric Sanders, Esq., of The Sanders Firm, P.C., filed the Notice of Claim with the New York City Comptroller’s Office on May 24, 2018.
ABOUT THE SANDERS FIRM, P.C.
The Sanders Firm, P.C. offers those in the New York City area legal services related and connected to civil rights, civil service rights, criminal law and discrimination. We firmly believe in everyone’s individual rights that are described and guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States of America. We understand that our freedoms and liberties are sacrosanct and that they have been won in many and various hard-fought battles. We are committed in every way to protecting your civil rights. We are your voice for justice!
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Business Phone: 212-652-2782