You are reading

Video of NYPD Cop Kneeling on Man’s Neck Surfaces, Queens DA Investigating

(Image via the Legal Aid Society)

Jan. 7, 2021 By Michael Dorgan

The Queens District Attorney’s Office is investigating a case of possible police brutality after a video surfaced of an NYPD officer kneeling on a man’s neck in Jamaica Saturday – a maneuver banned by the City Council following the death of George Floyd in May.

The investigation follows video footage being posted online showing cops arresting a man in front of 113-08 Sutphin Blvd. One officer allegedly kneels on the suspect’s neck while onlookers can be heard screaming for the police to stop.

The victim, Sircarlyle Arnold, was being arrested for riding an all-terrain vehicle recklessly through the neighborhood at around 7 p.m.

The Queens DA office said that they are aware of the allegations made against the NYPD officers and that the incident is now under investigation.

“Our Public Corruption Bureau is in the process of reviewing all evidence in this case, including the officers’ body worn camera videos,” a spokeswoman for the DA’s Office said.

Arnold, who is from Long Island, was arrested by cops for riding an ATV with a group as part of a vigil for a friend who died, according to his attorney, Olayemi Olurin, who posted footage of the incident. Olurin represents the Legal Aid Society law firm.

“This video shows NYPD officers kneeling on my client….while bystanders beg them to stop,” Olurin tweeted.

“This is eerily similar to what was done to George Floyd in May 2020.”

Onlookers can be heard shouting “look at his knee,” and “take his knee off,” to the cops.

Olurin said that Arnold was not fighting the cops nor was he resisting arrest. The Legal Aid Society has called for the cops to be fired and charges against Arnold to be dropped.

“These officers’ first impulse was to employ an illegal, life-threatening knee-on-neck hold on Mr. Arnold,” a statement by the firm reads.

“Not only should the case against Mr. Arnold be immediately dismissed in the interest of justice, but the NYPD must expeditiously terminate the officers involved, and DA Katz – upholding her promise to hold accountable officers who commit serious acts of misconduct – must bring charges.”

Arnold appeared in Queens Criminal Court Sunday and faced several charges including reckless endangerment, reckless driving, driving on sidewalks, and operating a vehicle without a license. His license has been suspended on three or more occasions previously, according to the complaint. Arnold was also charged with marijuana possession and disorderly conduct.

The NYPD said that they are aware of the allegations made against its officers and the incident is under internal review.

The case could be the first to test new city council legislation passed last year which made it a misdemeanor for cops to use methods of restraints like kneeling on a suspect’s back or chokeholds while making an arrest.

The move came following the death of George Floyd and a series of violent police clashes with civilians over the summer.

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Jamaica man indicted in 2018 cold-case murder of Brooklyn rapper at a Woodhaven bar: DA

A Queens grand jury indicted a Jamaica man for the fatal drive-by shooting of a rapper outside a Woodhaven pub in 2018.

Johnathan Rice, 43, of 178th Street, was arraigned on Friday on an indictment charging him with murder in the second degree for allegedly gunning down 35-year-old Frank Synder, a Brooklyn hip hop performer and party promoter known as “Hollywood Play,” outside the Tavern Lounge in Woodhaven, where he was hosting an event for a friend’s birthday.

Richmond Hill man sentenced for killing two South Ozone Park neighbors in drunk driving collision last year: DA

A Richmond Hill man was sentenced Monday to seven to 21 years in prison for a drunk driving collision that killed two neighbors from South Ozone Park in June 2023.

Tamir Khan, 23, of 117th Street, pleaded guilty in Queens Supreme Court in July to aggravated vehicular homicide and DWI charges for speeding through a Richmond Hill intersection and slamming into a vehicle driven by Inderdeo John, who was driving Charles Harris to his job as a custodian at a nearby public school.

South Richmond Hill senior killed after fire breaks out in his illegal basement apartment on Thursday afternoon

A 72-year-old man was killed after a fire engulfed his illegal basement apartment in South Richmond Hill on Thursday afternoon.

The FDNY received a call just after 5 p.m. of a house fire at 94-14 132nd St. Firefighters confirmed the blaze broke out in the basement. The FDNY dispatched 12 units and 60 firefighters and EMS personnel to the scene. Paramedics rescued the 72-year-old victim, and EMS rushed him to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition. He succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead a short while later.