Paterson Police Department Faces Lawsuit Over Excessive Force Incidents

A 31-page federal civil rights lawsuit, filed by Osamah Alsaidi, accuses Paterson Police Department of negligence in combating misconduct and for failing to provide its officers with proper training and supervision. The lawsuit came after Alsaidi was struck by two officers, Kevin Patino and Kendry Tineo-Restituyo, in an unprovoked attack, as shown in a store security video cited by the United States Attorney's Office in its charges against the cops. The lawsuit also alleges that the department has a history of failing to meaningfully investigate misconduct and hold its police officers accountable.

Key Takeaways:

• The lawsuit accuses the Paterson Police Department of negligence in combating misconduct and failing to provide adequate training and supervision to its officers.
• The incident involving Osamah Alsaidi occurred in December 2020, amid a separate federal probe that resulted in convictions of eight Paterson cops.
• The lawsuit alleges that Paterson officials failed to protect the public from police wrongdoing even after the other arrests, with the police department being aware of a "shockingly high number of incidents involving force and excessive force" by its officers.
• The two indicted officers, Kevin Patino and Kendry Tineo-Restituyo, had a history of Internal Affairs complaints and use-of-force reports before the incident with Alsaidi.
• The lawsuit also accuses a third Paterson officer, Bashir McKnight, of wrongdoing, including forcing Alsaidi to leave the hospital before he could see a doctor.
• The lawsuit does not specify a specific amount of money that Alsaidi is seeking in compensation.

Statistics:

• 31-page federal civil rights lawsuit filed by Osamah Alsaidi against the Paterson Police Department.
• 2 officers, Kevin Patino and Kendry Tineo-Restituyo, charged for excessive force in the case.
• 5 internal affairs complaints against Kendry Tineo-Restituyo before the incident with Alsaidi.
• 2 internal affairs complaints against Kevin Patino before the incident with Alsaidi.
• 15 use-of-force reports filed by Kevin Patino between 2018 and 2020.
• 8 use-of-force reports filed by Kendry Tineo-Restituyo.
• 8 Paterson cops convicted in a separate federal probe.

Sources:

• "Paterson Police Department faces lawsuit over excessive force incidents" by Joe Malinconico, Paterson Press
• "Federal court records" mentioned in the article
• "United States Attorney's Office" cited in the article for its charges against the cops.