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Case 1:15-cv-00122 Document 1 Filed 02/10/15 Page 1 of 18

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT


WESTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
_____________________________________________

THEO BROWN-HARRIS,
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
Plaintiff,
COMPLAINT
vs.

CITY OF BUFFALO,
POLICE OFFICER WILLIAM MACEY,
POLICE OFFICER JOHN BEYERS,
POLICE OFFICER HASSAN (First Name Unknown),
and Police Officers John Doe 1-10, who are known
by name to the Respondents, but as of yet are not fully
known to the Claimants,

Defendants.
______________________________________________

Plaintiff, THEO BROWN-HARRIS, as and for his Complaint against Defendants CITY

OF BUFFALO, POLICE OFFICER WILLIAM MACEY, POLICE OFFICER JOHN BEYERS,

POLICE OFFICER HASSAN (First Name Unknown), and Police Officers John Doe 1-10, who

are known by name to the Respondents, but as of yet are not fully known to the Claimants, by

and through his attorneys, HoganWillig, PLLC, herein alleges that:

PARTIES AND JURISDICTION

1. At all times herein relevant, Plaintiff THEO BROWN-HARRIS was and is a

citizen of the United States of America and a resident of the State of New York, residing at 111

Roebling Avenue, City of Buffalo, County of Erie, State of New York.

2. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times stated herein, Defendant CITY

OF BUFFALO was and is a municipal corporation organized and existing under the laws of the

State of New York, with principal offices located at 65 Niagara Square, City of Buffalo, County

of Erie, State of New York.

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HOGANWILLIG
Attorneys at Law
2410 NORTH FOREST ROAD | SUITE 301 | AMHERST, NEW YORK 14068
Phone: 716.636.7600 | Toll Free: 800.636.5255 | Fax: 716.636.7606 | www.hoganwillig.com
Case 1:15-cv-00122 Document 1 Filed 02/10/15 Page 2 of 18

3. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times stated herein, Defendant CITY

OF BUFFALO operated and maintained a City department known as the City of Buffalo Police

Department (hereinafter “BPD”), with principal offices located at 74 Franklin Street, City of

Buffalo, County of Erie, State of New York.

4. Upon information and belief, BPD maintains a substation, entitled the Housing

Unit located at the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority’s Commodore Perry Homes, 312 Perry

Street, City of Buffalo, County of Erie, State of New York.

5. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times stated herein, Defendant

POLICE OFFICER WILLIAM MACEY, was and is a natural person residing in the County of

Erie and State of New York.

6. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times stated herein, Defendant

POLICE OFFICER WILLIAM MACEY, was and is an employee of Defendant CITY OF

BUFFALO, specifically the City of Buffalo Police Department.

7. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times stated herein, Defendant

POLICE OFFICER JOHN BEYERS, was and is a natural person residing in the County of Erie

and State of New York.

8. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times stated herein, Defendant

POLICE OFFICER JOHN BEYERS, was and is an employee of Defendant CITY OF

BUFFALO, specifically the City of Buffalo Police Department.

9. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times stated herein, Defendant

POLICE OFFICER HASSAN (First Name Unknown), was and is a natural person residing in the

County of Erie and State of New York.

{H0863782.1} 2
HOGANWILLIG
Attorneys at Law
2410 NORTH FOREST ROAD | SUITE 301 | AMHERST, NEW YORK 14068
Phone: 716.636.7600 | Toll Free: 800.636.5255 | Fax: 716.636.7606 | www.hoganwillig.com
Case 1:15-cv-00122 Document 1 Filed 02/10/15 Page 3 of 18

10. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times stated herein, Defendant

POLICE OFFICER HASSAN (First Name Unknown), was and is an employee of Defendant

CITY OF BUFFALO, specifically the City of Buffalo Police Department.

11. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times stated herein, Defendants

POLICE OFFICERS JOHN DOE 1-10 were and are natural persons residing in the County of

Erie and State of New York.

12. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times stated herein, Defendants

POLICE OFFICERS JOHN DOE 1-10 were and are employees of Defendant CITY OF

BUFFALO, specifically the City of Buffalo Police Department.

13. This action arises under New York State law and under the United States

Constitution, particularly under the provisions of the Fourth, Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments

to the Constitution and under Federal law, particularly the Civil Right Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

14. This Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331, 28

U.S.C. § 1343 and 28 U.S.C. § 1367(a).

15. At all relevant times stated herein, all activities giving rise to the instant action

occurred within the State of New York.

16. Each of the acts of Defendants POLICE OFFICER WILLIAM MACEY, POLICE

OFFICER JOHN BEYERS, POLICE OFFICER HASSAN (First Name Unknown), and POLICE

OFFICERS JOHN DOE 1-10 were performed in the course of their employment with Defendant

CITY OF BUFFALO and the City of Buffalo Police Department, and under the color and

pretense of the laws, statutes, ordinances, regulations, customs and usages of the State of New

York, County of Erie and City of Buffalo, and under their authority and within the scope of their

employment as police officers.

{H0863782.1} 3
HOGANWILLIG
Attorneys at Law
2410 NORTH FOREST ROAD | SUITE 301 | AMHERST, NEW YORK 14068
Phone: 716.636.7600 | Toll Free: 800.636.5255 | Fax: 716.636.7606 | www.hoganwillig.com
Case 1:15-cv-00122 Document 1 Filed 02/10/15 Page 4 of 18

17. Plaintiff sues Defendants POLICE OFFICER WILLIAM MACEY, POLICE

OFFICER JOHN BEYERS, POLICE OFFICER HASSAN (First Name Unknown), and POLICE

OFFICERS JOHN DOE 1-10, public employees, in both their official and individual capacities.

18. On or about the 8th of May 2014, and within ninety (90) days after the incident

herein sued upon accrued, Plaintiff served upon Defendants CITY OF BUFFALO and the City

of Buffalo Police Department, through their duly authorized agents, a written Notice of Claim

pursuant to Section 50-e of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York setting forth

the time, place, nature and manner in which the claim arose.

19. More than thirty (30) days have elapsed from the date the Notice of Claim was

served and, despite having duly produced Plaintiff on July 24, 2014 for a hearing pursuant to

Section 50-h of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York, Defendants have

neglected and refused to make payment of the claim.

20. This action was commenced within one (1) year and ninety (90) days from the

date upon which the claims, based upon New York State law, accrued.

21. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times stated herein, Defendant CITY

OF BUFFALO and the City of Buffalo Police Department had a policy and custom of

unreasonably seizing and detaining citizens; unreasonably questioning detainees; use of

excessive force and of generally disregarding the rights of citizens under the United States

Constitution.

ALLEGATIONS PERTAINING TO PLAINTIFF THEO BROWN-HARRIS’ CLAIMS

22. On or about the evening of February 11, 2014, Plaintiff became aware that a

relative was being arrested, outside of the buildings comprising Buffalo Municipal Housing

{H0863782.1} 4
HOGANWILLIG
Attorneys at Law
2410 NORTH FOREST ROAD | SUITE 301 | AMHERST, NEW YORK 14068
Phone: 716.636.7600 | Toll Free: 800.636.5255 | Fax: 716.636.7606 | www.hoganwillig.com
Case 1:15-cv-00122 Document 1 Filed 02/10/15 Page 5 of 18

Authority’s (hereinafter “BMHA”) Shaffer Village, at which point he went to inquire as to what

was happening.

23. Upon arriving at BMHA’s Shaffer Village, at the cross-section of Center Lane

and Ontario Street, Plaintiff was instructed, by a CITY OF BUFFALO police officer, to leave the

area.

24. As Plaintiff began walking away, in an effort to comply with the officer’s

directive, Plaintiff was stopped by a second BPD officer who requested his name and address.

Upon information and belief said officer was Defendant WILLIAM MACEY.

25. Immediately thereafter, another officer demanded that Plaintiff remove his hands

from his pockets.

26. Almost instantaneously after Plaintiff complied with said directive, by placing his

hands in the air above his head, Plaintiff was struck over the head from behind by Defendant

JOHN DOE; at which point he lost consciousness.

27. Upon regaining consciousness, Plaintiff realized that he was lying on his stomach

on the ground being beaten, kneed and kicked about the face, head and person by several

members of Defendant CITY OF BUFFALO’s Police Department. Upon information and belief

said members include, but are not limited to, Defendants WILLIAM MACEY, JOHN BEYERS,

HASSAN (First Name Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-10.

28. Defendant JOHN DOE then handcuffed Plaintiff and Defendants WILLIAM

MACEY, JOHN BEYERS, HASSAN (First Name Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-10 continued

their physical assault of Plaintiff.

{H0863782.1} 5
HOGANWILLIG
Attorneys at Law
2410 NORTH FOREST ROAD | SUITE 301 | AMHERST, NEW YORK 14068
Phone: 716.636.7600 | Toll Free: 800.636.5255 | Fax: 716.636.7606 | www.hoganwillig.com
Case 1:15-cv-00122 Document 1 Filed 02/10/15 Page 6 of 18

29. Plaintiff was subsequently transported, along with two other gentlemen, by

Defendants JOHN BEYERS and JOHN DOE to the BPD Housing Unit’s Office located within

the BMHA Commodore Perry Homes.

30. Plaintiff was not informed as to why he being detained or taken into police

custody.

31. While en route, Plaintiff requested to be taken to the hospital for medical attention

as he was bleeding from several places about the face, head and mouth and was in pain. Said

request was denied.

32. Plaintiff then asked the transporting officer for his name to which said officer

replied by verbally assaulting and threatening the Plaintiff.

33. Upon arriving at the BPD Housing Unit’s Office, Plaintiff was taken into a

restroom where an officer attempted to remove blood from his face and clothing.

34. While still handcuffed, Plaintiff was then taken outside, placed into the backseat

of a BPD patrol vehicle and questioned by a BPD police officer. Upon information and belief

said officer was POLICE OFFICER JOHN BEYERS.

35. Upon being informed by the Plaintiff that he had no knowledge of any illegal

activity, Defendant BEYERS opened the door of the police car and began to repeatedly kick the

Plaintiff in the face and side of his body.

36. Upon being returned to the inside of BPD’s substation housed within the BMHA

Commodore Perry Homes, Plaintiff was not provided with medical treatment despite his

obviously injured state, as Plaintiff was still bleeding from various areas of his person and

complaining of dizziness.

{H0863782.1} 6
HOGANWILLIG
Attorneys at Law
2410 NORTH FOREST ROAD | SUITE 301 | AMHERST, NEW YORK 14068
Phone: 716.636.7600 | Toll Free: 800.636.5255 | Fax: 716.636.7606 | www.hoganwillig.com
Case 1:15-cv-00122 Document 1 Filed 02/10/15 Page 7 of 18

37. Plaintiff was later transported to the Erie County Holding Center where he was

charged with various crimes.

38. Said charged were subsequently dismissed.

AS AND FOR A FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION AGAINST ALL DEFENDANTS:


UNREASONABLE SEIZURE AND DEPRIVATION OF LIBERTY WITHOUT DUE
PROCESS OF LAW

39. Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation contained in paragraphs

“1” through “38” above as though more fully set forth at length herein.

40. At the time Defendants POLICE OFFICER’s WILLIAM MACEY, JOHN

BEYERS, HASSAN (First Name Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-10 handcuffed and exercised

force upon Plaintiff, Plaintiff was not exhibiting uncooperative, disruptive or violent behavior

nor did he pose a threat to himself or others as his hands were positioned above his head or he

was lying face down on the ground with his hand behind his back.

41. At the time Defendants WILLIAM MACEY, JOHN BEYERS, HASSAN (First

Name Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-10 held and detained Plaintiff, said Defendants did not

have probable cause or reasonable suspicion to hold and detain Plaintiff.

42. Defendants WILLIAM MACEY, JOHN BEYERS, HASSAN (First Name

Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-10, as officers, agents and/or employees of Defendant the CITY

OF BUFFALO, and while acting under color of state law, unreasonably detained Plaintiff

without probable cause, in direct violation of Plaintiff’s civil rights under the Fourth Amendment

of the United States Constitution, as applied to the states by the Fourteenth Amendment of the

United States Constitution, to be secure against unreasonable seizure of his person.

43. Said seizure and detention was prolonged, intrusive, unjustified and served no

governmental purpose.

{H0863782.1} 7
HOGANWILLIG
Attorneys at Law
2410 NORTH FOREST ROAD | SUITE 301 | AMHERST, NEW YORK 14068
Phone: 716.636.7600 | Toll Free: 800.636.5255 | Fax: 716.636.7606 | www.hoganwillig.com
Case 1:15-cv-00122 Document 1 Filed 02/10/15 Page 8 of 18

44. The aforesaid conduct employed during the detainment and imprisonment of

Plaintiff by Defendants WILLIAM MACEY, JOHN BEYERS, HASSAN (First Name

Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-10 was in direct violation of Plaintiff’s civil rights under the

Fourteenth Amendment of United States Constitution to be secure against deprivations of liberty

without due process of law.

45. The aforesaid conduct of Defendants WILLIAM MACEY, JOHN BEYERS,

HASSAN (First Name Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-10 was pursuant to a policy and custom of

Defendant CITY OF BUFFALO.

46. As a result of the foregoing, Plaintiff has been injured and damaged, and was

subjected to humiliation and embarrassment, all to Plaintiff’s damage in the sum of ONE

MILLION DOLLARS, plus punitive damages in the amount of THREE MILLION DOLLARS

against individual Defendants.

AS AND FOR A SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION AGAINST ALL DEFENDANTS:


EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE

47. Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation contained in paragraphs

“1” through “46” above as though more fully set forth at length herein.

48. At the time Plaintiff was seized by Defendants WILLIAM MACEY, JOHN

BEYERS, HASSAN (First Name Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-10, Plaintiff, with his hands

raised above his head or face down on the ground handcuffed, was struck, kneed and kicked

multiple times in various areas of his face, head and person, by said Defendants.

49. Plaintiff was also repeatedly kicked in the face and side of his body by Defendant

JOHN BEYERS while handcuffed in the backseat of a BPD patrol vehicle.

{H0863782.1} 8
HOGANWILLIG
Attorneys at Law
2410 NORTH FOREST ROAD | SUITE 301 | AMHERST, NEW YORK 14068
Phone: 716.636.7600 | Toll Free: 800.636.5255 | Fax: 716.636.7606 | www.hoganwillig.com
Case 1:15-cv-00122 Document 1 Filed 02/10/15 Page 9 of 18

50. The aforementioned actions of Defendants WILLIAM MACEY, JOHN BEYERS,

HASSAN (First Name Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-10 were carried out with an excessive

amount of force.

51. Plaintiff’s hands were raised above his head when he was initially struck by

Defendant JOHN DOE.

52. During the subsequent periods following said strike, Plaintiff was unconscious

lying on his stomach, and/or handcuffed behind his back and Defendants WILLIAM MACEY,

JOHN BEYERS, HASSAN (First Name Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-10 continued to beat,

knee and kick him about the head, face and other parts of his person.

53. Plaintiff was handcuffed behind his back during the period in which Defendant

WILLIAM MACEY, JOHN BEYERS, HASSAN (First Name Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-10

continuously kicked him in the face and sides while in the backseat of the BPD patrol vehicle.

54. At the time Plaintiff was attacked, Plaintiff was not uncooperative with

Defendants WILLIAM MACEY, JOHN BEYERS, HASSAN (First Name Unknown) and JOHN

DOES 1-10, did not pose a threat to Defendants WILLIAM MACEY, JOHN BEYERS,

HASSAN (First Name Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-10, and was not attempting to flee.

55. The application of any degree of force against Plaintiff was not warranted or

reasonable and was excessive under the circumstances.

56. Defendants WILLIAM MACEY, JOHN BEYERS, HASSAN (First Name

Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-10, as officers, agents and/or employees of Defendant CITY OF

BUFFALO, and while acting under color of state law, used excessive force against Plaintiff, in

direct violation of Plaintiff’s civil rights under the Fourth Amendment of the United States

{H0863782.1} 9
HOGANWILLIG
Attorneys at Law
2410 NORTH FOREST ROAD | SUITE 301 | AMHERST, NEW YORK 14068
Phone: 716.636.7600 | Toll Free: 800.636.5255 | Fax: 716.636.7606 | www.hoganwillig.com
Case 1:15-cv-00122 Document 1 Filed 02/10/15 Page 10 of 18

Constitution, as applied to the states by the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States

Constitution, to be secure in his person.

57. The aforesaid conduct of Defendants JOHN BEYERS was pursuant to a policy

and custom of Defendant CITY OF BUFFALO.

58. As a result of the foregoing, Plaintiff has been injured and damaged, and was

subjected to humiliation and embarrassment, all to Plaintiff’s damage in the sum of ONE

MILLION DOLLARS, plus punitive damages in the amount of THREE MILLION DOLLARS

against individual Defendants.

AS AND FOR A THIRD CLAIM AGAINST ALL DEFENDANTS:


DENIAL OF MEDICAL TREATMENT

59. Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation contained in paragraphs

“1” through “58” of this Complaint with the same force and effect as if herein set forth at length.

60. At the time Plaintiff was seized by Defendants WILLIAM MACEY, JOHN

BEYERS, HASSAN (First Name Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-10, Plaintiff was struck, kneed

and kicked multiple times in various areas of his person, by said Defendants.

61. Plaintiff was also kicked in the face and side of his body by Defendant JOHN

BEYERS while in the backseat of the BPD patrol vehicle.

62. Following said physical attacks, Plaintiff requested to be taken to a hospital for

medical treatment as he was bleeding from several places about the face, head and mouth and

was in pain.

63. Defendants JOHN BEYERS and JOHN DOE denied said request and responded

by to verbally assaulting and threatening Plaintiff.

64. While in the custody of the BPD, Plaintiff continued to bleed from various areas

of his face, head and mouth and complain about the pain that he was experiencing.

{H0863782.1} 10
HOGANWILLIG
Attorneys at Law
2410 NORTH FOREST ROAD | SUITE 301 | AMHERST, NEW YORK 14068
Phone: 716.636.7600 | Toll Free: 800.636.5255 | Fax: 716.636.7606 | www.hoganwillig.com
Case 1:15-cv-00122 Document 1 Filed 02/10/15 Page 11 of 18

65. Plaintiff was unable to obtain medical treatment until he was released from

custody.

66. Said denial of medical treatment was improper in light of the beating which

Plaintiff sustained at the hands of Defendants WILLIAM MACEY, JOHN BEYERS, HASSAN

(First Name Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-10 and Plaintiff’s obvious physical injuries as a

result of said attacks.

67. As a result of the foregoing, Plaintiff has been injured and damaged, and was

subjected to humiliation and embarrassment, all to Plaintiff’s damage in the sum of ONE

MILLION DOLLARS, plus punitive damages in the amount of THREE MILLION DOLLARS

against individual Defendants.

AS AND FOR A FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION AGAINST ALL DEFENDANTS:


ASSAULT

68. Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation contained in paragraphs

“1” through “67” above as though more fully set forth at length herein.

69. The actions of Defendants WILLIAM MACEY, JOHN BEYERS, HASSAN

(First Name Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-10, wherein Defendants WILLIAM MACEY, JOHN

BEYERS, HASSAN (First Name Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-10, struck, kneed and kicked,

Plaintiff multiple times in various areas of his person and Plaintiff was repeatedly kicked in the

face and side of his body by Defendant JOHN BEYERS while in the backseat of the BPD patrol

vehicle, placed Plaintiff in apprehension of an imminent harmful and offensive bodily contact.

70. The aforesaid assault on Plaintiff was unwarranted, unjustified and unprovoked

by Plaintiff and was without Plaintiff’s consent.

{H0863782.1} 11
HOGANWILLIG
Attorneys at Law
2410 NORTH FOREST ROAD | SUITE 301 | AMHERST, NEW YORK 14068
Phone: 716.636.7600 | Toll Free: 800.636.5255 | Fax: 716.636.7606 | www.hoganwillig.com
Case 1:15-cv-00122 Document 1 Filed 02/10/15 Page 12 of 18

71. The injuries and damages sustained by Plaintiff herein were caused solely and

wholly through the intentional and malicious acts of Defendants herein, without any negligence

on the part of Plaintiff contributing thereto.

72. The aforesaid assault was performed in furtherance of Defendants WILLIAM

MACEY, JOHN BEYERS, HASSAN (First Name Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-10’s

employment with Defendant CITY OF BUFFALO.

73. As a result of the foregoing, Plaintiff has been injured and damaged, and was

subjected to humiliation and embarrassment, all to Plaintiff’s damage in the sum of ONE

MILLION DOLLARS, plus punitive damages in the amount of THREE MILLION DOLLARS

against individual Defendants.

AS AND FOR A FIFTH CAUSE OF ACTION AGAINST ALL DEFENDANTS:


BATTERY

74. Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation contained in paragraphs

“1” through “73” above as though more fully set forth at length herein.

75. Defendants WILLIAM MACEY, JOHN BEYERS, HASSAN (First Name

Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-10 intentionally, wantonly and recklessly struck, kneed and

kicked, Plaintiff multiple times in various areas of his person and Defendant JOHN BEYERS

repeatedly kicked Plaintiff in the face and side of his body while in the backseat of a BPD patrol

vehicle.

76. Said physical contact was offensive in nature and was performed without the

consent of Plaintiff.

{H0863782.1} 12
HOGANWILLIG
Attorneys at Law
2410 NORTH FOREST ROAD | SUITE 301 | AMHERST, NEW YORK 14068
Phone: 716.636.7600 | Toll Free: 800.636.5255 | Fax: 716.636.7606 | www.hoganwillig.com
Case 1:15-cv-00122 Document 1 Filed 02/10/15 Page 13 of 18

77. The aforesaid battery was unprovoked by Plaintiff, unwarranted, unjustified and

in violation of § 35.30 of the Penal Law of the State of New York and § 140.15 of the Criminal

Procedure Law of the State of New York.

78. The aforesaid battery was performed in the furtherance of Defendants WILLIAM

MACEY, JOHN BEYERS, HASSAN (First Name Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-10’s

employment with Defendant CITY OF BUFFALO.

79. As a result of the foregoing, Plaintiff has been injured and damaged, and was

subjected to humiliation and embarrassment, all to Plaintiff’s damage in the sum of ONE

MILLION DOLLARS, plus punitive damages in the amount of THREE MILLION DOLLARS

against individual Defendants.

AS AND FOR A SIXTH CAUSE OF ACTION AGAINST DEFENDANTS


WILLIAM MACEY, JOHN BEYERS, HASSAN (First Name Unknown) and JOHN DOES
1-10: INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS

80. Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation contained in paragraphs

“1” through “79” above as though more fully set forth at length herein.

81. The actions of Defendants WILLIAM MACEY, JOHN BEYERS, HASSAN

(First Name Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-10, wherein Defendants WILLIAM MACEY, JOHN

BEYERS, HASSAN (First Name Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-10, struck, kneed and kicked,

Plaintiff multiple times in various areas of his person and Plaintiff was repeatedly kicked in the

face and side of his body by Defendant JOHN BEYERS while in the backseat of a BPD patrol

vehicle, were outrageous, shocking and exceeded all reasonable bounds of decency.

82. The aforesaid actions of Defendants WILLIAM MACEY, JOHN BEYERS,

HASSAN (First Name Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-10 were made with the intention of

causing Plaintiff severe emotional distress.

{H0863782.1} 13
HOGANWILLIG
Attorneys at Law
2410 NORTH FOREST ROAD | SUITE 301 | AMHERST, NEW YORK 14068
Phone: 716.636.7600 | Toll Free: 800.636.5255 | Fax: 716.636.7606 | www.hoganwillig.com
Case 1:15-cv-00122 Document 1 Filed 02/10/15 Page 14 of 18

83. The aforesaid actions were performed in the furtherance of Defendants

WILLIAM MACEY, JOHN BEYERS, HASSAN (First Name Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-

10’s employment with Defendant CITY OF BUFFALO.

84. As a result of the foregoing, Plaintiff has been injured and damaged, and was

subjected to humiliation and embarrassment, all to Plaintiff’s damage in the sum of ONE

MILLION DOLLARS, plus punitive damages in the amount of THREE MILLION DOLLARS

against individual Defendants.

AS AND FOR A SEVENTH CAUSE OF ACTION AGAINST DEFENDANTS


WILLIAM MACEY, JOHN BEYERS, HASSAN (First Name Unknown) and JOHN DOES
1-10: NEGLIGENT INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS

85. Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation contained in paragraphs

“1” through “84” above as though more fully set forth at length herein.

86. The actions of Defendants WILLIAM MACEY, JOHN BEYERS, HASSAN

(First Name Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-10, wherein Defendants WILLIAM MACEY, JOHN

BEYERS, HASSAN (First Name Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-10, struck, kneed and kicked,

Plaintiff multiple times in various areas of his person and Plaintiff was repeatedly kicked in the

face and side of his body by Defendant JOHN BEYERS while in the backseat of a BPD patrol

vehicle, caused Plaintiff emotional distress.

87. The aforesaid incident was caused wholly and solely as a consequence of the

carelessness of Defendants and without any negligence on the part of Plaintiff contributing

thereto.

88. The aforesaid actions were performed in the furtherance of Defendants

WILLIAM MACEY, JOHN BEYERS, HASSAN (First Name Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-

10’s employment with Defendant CITY OF BUFFALO.

{H0863782.1} 14
HOGANWILLIG
Attorneys at Law
2410 NORTH FOREST ROAD | SUITE 301 | AMHERST, NEW YORK 14068
Phone: 716.636.7600 | Toll Free: 800.636.5255 | Fax: 716.636.7606 | www.hoganwillig.com
Case 1:15-cv-00122 Document 1 Filed 02/10/15 Page 15 of 18

89. As a result of Defendants’ actions, Plaintiff suffered serious emotional distress.

90. As a result of the foregoing, Plaintiff has been injured and damaged, and was

subjected to humiliation and embarrassment, all to Plaintiff’s damage in the sum of ONE

MILLION DOLLARS, plus punitive damages in the amount of THREE MILLION DOLLARS

against individual Defendants.

AS AND FOR AN EIGHTH CAUSE OF ACTION AGAINST


DEFENDANT CITY OF BUFFALO:
NEGLIGENT HIRING, TRAINING AND SUPERVISION

91. Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation contained in paragraphs

“1” through “90” above as though more fully set forth at length herein.

92. Upon information and belief, Defendant CITY OF BUFFALO and the City of

Buffalo Police Department, their agents, servant and employees hired Defendants WILLIAM

MACEY, JOHN BEYERS, HASSAN (First Name Unknown) and JOHN DOES 1-10 to perform

work as Officers of Defendant CITY OF BUFFALO and the City of Buffalo Police Department.

93. Upon information and belief, Defendant CITY OF BUFFALO and the City of

Buffalo Police Department, their agents, servants and employees, trained said Defendants to

perform work as Officers of Defendant CITY OF BUFFALO and the City of Buffalo Police

Department.

94. Defendant CITY OF BUFFALO and the City of Buffalo Police Department were

negligent in the hiring of said Defendants in that they knew, or in the exercise of reasonable care

should have known, that said Defendants did not possess the temperament and psychological

makeup to determine when and what level of force is necessary, how to appropriately carryout

said force and to conduct detentions, detainee questioning and otherwise properly carry out their

duties as responsible and law abiding police officers.

{H0863782.1} 15
HOGANWILLIG
Attorneys at Law
2410 NORTH FOREST ROAD | SUITE 301 | AMHERST, NEW YORK 14068
Phone: 716.636.7600 | Toll Free: 800.636.5255 | Fax: 716.636.7606 | www.hoganwillig.com
Case 1:15-cv-00122 Document 1 Filed 02/10/15 Page 16 of 18

95. Defendant CITY OF BUFFALO and the City of Buffalo Police Department were

negligent in the training of said Defendants in that they failed to train said Defendants in the

proper bases for/ use of force and the proper levels thereof, scope of detentions, scope of

questioning detainees and in the rights of citizens under the United States Constitution in

general.

96. Defendant CITY OF BUFFALO and the City of Buffalo Police Department were

negligent in the supervision of said Defendants in that they permitted said Defendants to: detain

citizens without reasonable suspicion or probable cause, use force without probable cause,

unreasonably detain citizens, unreasonably question detainees and encouraged an atmosphere of

disregard of the Fourth Amendment rights of citizens under the United States Constitution and

failed to discipline officers who committed such offenses.

97. As a result of the foregoing, Plaintiff has been injured and damaged, and was

subjected to humiliation and embarrassment, all to Plaintiff’s damage in the sum of ONE

MILLION DOLLARS.

WHEREFORE, the Plaintiff demands judgment against Defendants as follows:

a) on the first cause of action in the sum of ONE MILLION DOLLARS

($1,000,000), plus THREE MILLION DOLLARS ($3,000,000) against the individual

Defendants in their individual capacities; and/or

b) on the second cause of action in the sum of ONE MILLION DOLLARS

($1,000,000), plus THREE MILLION DOLLARS ($3,000,000) against the individual

Defendants in their individual capacities; and/or

{H0863782.1} 16
HOGANWILLIG
Attorneys at Law
2410 NORTH FOREST ROAD | SUITE 301 | AMHERST, NEW YORK 14068
Phone: 716.636.7600 | Toll Free: 800.636.5255 | Fax: 716.636.7606 | www.hoganwillig.com
Case 1:15-cv-00122 Document 1 Filed 02/10/15 Page 17 of 18

c) on the third cause of action in the sum of ONE MILLION DOLLARS

($1,000,000), plus THREE MILLION DOLLARS ($3,000,000) against the individual

Defendants in their individual capacities; and/or

d) on the fourth cause of action in the sum of ONE MILLION DOLLARS

($1,000,000), plus THREE MILLION DOLLARS ($3,000,000) against the individual

Defendants in their individual capacities; and/or

e) on the fifth cause of action in the sum of ONE MILLION DOLLARS

($1,000,000), plus THREE MILLION DOLLARS ($3,000,000) against the individual

Defendants in their individual capacities; and/or

f) on the sixth cause of action in the sum of ONE MILLION DOLLARS

($1,000,000), plus THREE MILLION DOLLARS ($3,000,000) against the individual

Defendants in their individual capacities; and/or

g) on the seventh cause of action in the sum of ONE MILLION DOLLARS

($1,000,000), plus THREE MILLION DOLLARS ($3,000,000) against the individual

Defendants in their individual capacities; and/or

h) on the eighth cause of action in the sum of ONE MILLION DOLLARS

($1,000,000); and/or

i) costs and disbursements of this action and attorneys’ fees pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §

1988(b); and/or

j) for such other relief as this Court may deem just, proper and equitable.

{H0863782.1} 17
HOGANWILLIG
Attorneys at Law
2410 NORTH FOREST ROAD | SUITE 301 | AMHERST, NEW YORK 14068
Phone: 716.636.7600 | Toll Free: 800.636.5255 | Fax: 716.636.7606 | www.hoganwillig.com
Case 1:15-cv-00122 Document 1 Filed 02/10/15 Page 18 of 18

Dated: Amherst, New York


February 10, 2015

/s/Steven M. Cohen, Esq.


Steven M. Cohen, Esq.
HOGANWILLIG, PLLC
Attorneys for Plaintiff
2410 North Forest Road, Suite 301
Amherst, New York 14068
Telephone: (716) 636-7600
scohen@hoganwillig.com

{H0863782.1} 18
HOGANWILLIG
Attorneys at Law
2410 NORTH FOREST ROAD | SUITE 301 | AMHERST, NEW YORK 14068
Phone: 716.636.7600 | Toll Free: 800.636.5255 | Fax: 716.636.7606 | www.hoganwillig.com

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