Multiple Officers Placed on Modified Assignment Following Arrest Incident in Brooklyn

New York, NY—In response to a widely circulated video showing officers repeatedly punching a man during an arrest, several officers involved have been placed on "modified assignment," New York Mayor Eric Adams announced. The incident, which occurred in Brooklyn, has sparked significant public concern and calls for accountability.

The video, posted on social media, depicts at least two officers striking the man while bystanders shout and attempt to intervene. One officer is seen using a Taser to keep onlookers at bay while others struggle with the man between two parked vehicles. At one point, the man appears to swing at one of the officers.

According to a New York Police Department (NYPD) spokesperson, the confrontation began around 9:34 p.m. on July 4 when officers attempted to stop an individual from lighting fireworks and aiming them at apartment windows. The suspect fled, and Shaquan Davis, a 27-year-old Brooklyn resident, allegedly obstructed the officers by stepping in their path and pushing one of them. When an officer attempted to arrest Davis, he allegedly resisted by "pushing, shoving, wrestling, flailing his arms, and punching the officer."

Davis was subsequently arrested on multiple charges, including assault of a police officer, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, assault with intent to cause physical injury, disorderly conduct, and harassment. He is scheduled to appear in court on October 7. Davis' attorney, Jonathan Fink, stated that Davis denies any wrongdoing and asserts that he was assaulted by the police. Davis was released on his own recognizance.

Mayor Adams, in comments made during a radio interview on "Jonesy in the Morning" with Tarsha “Miss Jones” Jones, stated that he had seen the video and that Police Commissioner Edward Caban had immediately placed the officers involved on modified assignment. This typically means the officers have been stripped of their firearms and reassigned to non-enforcement duties.

"They’re going to do a thorough investigation and find out what happened," Adams said. "Everyone must be held accountable, because when you have the power and authority to take away someone’s freedom, there’s a lot of obligation and oversight that should come with that, and I have a lot of faith in Commissioner Caban because he came up through the ranks, and his dad was a strong advocate for diversity in the Police Department."

Addressing why the officers might have used such force despite knowing they were being recorded, Adams noted, "Adrenaline is real. People are caught up in the adrenaline, and that’s what we’re constantly trying to train people that you’ve got to take a step back. You get caught up in the emotion of policing and you start just reacting and not thinking and you make those errors and mistakes."

The NYPD faced further scrutiny this week following another incident in Brooklyn, recorded and shared by City Councilman Justin Brannan. This five-second video shows an officer punching a man, identified as Lamark Wyche, 44, in the face while his hands were restrained behind him. The incident occurred around 3:42 a.m. when officers responded to complaints about amplified sound from a portable speaker. Wyche allegedly became disorderly and resisted arrest after officers confiscated the speaker. He was arrested on charges of obstructing governmental administration and unreasonable noise, which have since been dropped.

"Residents and community leaders in Coney have worked very hard over many years to build up trust and respect between the cops and the community," Brannan commented. "Our community is pro-public safety. Punching people in the face when their hands are behind their backs isn’t public safety and being anti-police brutality doesn’t mean you are anti-cop. Incidents like this have a ripple effect and set everything back."

A spokesperson from City Hall emphasized, "We hold the men and women of the NYPD to the highest standards, and we are reviewing the incident."

As investigations continue, the NYPD has not disclosed the identities of the officers involved in either incident. The public and community leaders await the results of the investigations, seeking clarity and accountability in these troubling events.