Home invasionOn dutyMinorRacial epithetsThreats/intimidationExcessive forceTaserGunPhysical forceHospitalizedResisting or obstructing arrest chargesAssault or battery to an officer charges
Plaintiff:
Denese Friends-Smiley
Incident date:
06/09/2014
Location:
62 East 102nd St.
Allegations:
Friends-Smiley and her family were at home at the same time officers were pursuing a suspected drug dealer. From the porch, R.S. and D.R., who were both minors, saw someone being chased by police. Jada Smiley went outside to see what was going on and denied Officer Campos' request to search their property for the suspect. The family members retreated into the house and locked all the doors and windows. The officers burst through the doors that led from the backyard into the basement of the house, and started manhandling Friends-Smiley. Friends-Smiley had been in a car accident and was wearing arm and leg braces, which the officers disregarded. While the boys stayed upstairs, Smiley entered the basement and attempted to shield her mother from the officers. The officers punched and tased Smiley multiple times before officers handcuffed her mother to a chair, and then sat Smiley on Friends-Smiley's lap. While the mother and daughter were handcuffed to the chair, Officer Diaz hit Smiley with his flashlight and another officer grabbed her hair. Officer Matlock threatened to tase the boys if they tried to get their phones and record the incident, and one officer pointed his gun at Corbett's head. Officers used racial slurs and other demeaning and derogatory language. The officers searched the house only to find out later that the suspect had been found sitting on a sofa watching TV down the block. Friends-Smiley and Smiley were taken to the hospital and later arrested for battery and resisting/obstructing a peace officer. The charges were dismissed over a year later.