Brandon Crosby (2021)
Overview
On May 26, 2021, Paterson New Jersey Police Department Officer Spencer Finch responded to a domestic dispute, and found Crosby arguing with the mother of his children, who was inside an apartment.
Finch did not activate his body-worn camera due to a perceived fear of "imminent harm... if the defendant gained entry to the apartment".[1]
Finch claimed he was punched and kicked by Crosby.[1]
The incident was captured on another officer's body-worn camera and a surveillance camera.[2]
The body camera video shows Finch advance on Crosby before hitting him with "an overhead, open palmed strike to the face."[1] Finch hit Crosby multiple times with a flashlight. While Crosby was handcuffed, Finch used his knee to hit him in the face area.[3]
On June 10, 2021, Finch was suspended without pay. Under the police union contract, Finch would resume collecting his pay after 30 days and then go on administrative leave.[4]
On June 11, 2021, Finch was arrested and charged with official misconduct, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and tampering with public records.[5] The unauthorized weapon was a larger 'C' or 'D'-cell flashlight, which are not allowed by the department.[1]
On June 23, 2021, city officials released the body-worn camera footage.[3]
On June 30, 2021, city officials announced the filing of termination papers against Finch.[4]
Finch rejected a plea deal from prosecutors.[2]
On December 21, 2023, a jury acquitted Finch.[2]
Video
Officers Involved
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Joe Malinconico, Body camera footage produced evidence that led to Paterson cop’s excessive force arrest, North Jersey, 2021-06-14
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Joe Malinconico, Jury acquits fired Paterson cop Spencer Finch; lawyer calls him a 'hero', Paterson Press, 2023-12-21
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Joe Malinconico, Body camera video shows alleged assault that led to Paterson cop's arrest, North Jersey, 2021-06-23
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Joe Malinconico, Paterson will try to fire cop accused of assault in incident captured by bodycam video, North Jersey, 2021-06-30
- ↑ Joe Malinconico, Paterson cop arrested on misconduct, assault charges, North Jersey, 2021-06-11
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