Maplewood PD becomes focus of federal lawsuit over alleged brutality

<p>The Maplewood Police Department is now the focus of a federal lawsuit after allegations of excessive force by some officers last year.</p>

News 12 Staff

Aug 16, 2017, 10:26 AM

Updated 2,443 days ago

Share:

The Maplewood Police Department is now the focus of a federal lawsuit after allegations of excessive force by some officers last year.
Video captured during Maplewood’s 2016 Fourth of July fireworks event seems to show officers physically herding a group of teenagers away. One of the teens was handcuffed and punched as another officer appears to be kicking him.
Police Chief Robert Cimino and Capt. Joshua Cummis can be heard on the video directing officers to move the crowd of teens into neighboring Irvington.
“Make no mistake. What we are alleging here, what the videos shows is very clear, on that particular date, Maplewood police officers herded children, [the victim] was just 16 years old at the time, in the dead of night away from their homes and into a separate town. A town where there was a curfew that would have resulted in the arrest of those particular children,” says attorney Robert Tarver, Jr.
Chief Cimino was put on paid leave for 60 days earlier this month and Capt. Cummis was put on paid leave through the end of August.
The town has hired a consulting firm to further investigate the allegations.
Editor's Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the incident happened during the 2016 "National Night Out" event.


More from News 12
0:51
Wildfire in Wharton State Forest consumes more than 400 acres of land

Wildfire in Wharton State Forest consumes more than 400 acres of land

1:56
Isolated storms tonight; freeze warning in effect for parts of NJ overnight

Isolated storms tonight; freeze warning in effect for parts of NJ overnight

2:54
Longtime Democratic US Rep. Donald Payne Jr. dies at 65 following heart attack

Longtime Democratic US Rep. Donald Payne Jr. dies at 65 following heart attack

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:56
Passaic to get $1.6M in federal funds to reduce flash flooding where 2 people died

Passaic to get $1.6M in federal funds to reduce flash flooding where 2 people died

2:56
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend New Jersey woman's life

Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend New Jersey woman's life

0:43
Jersey Proud: Manchester HS students teach older generation about tech

Jersey Proud: Manchester HS students teach older generation about tech

2:23
'The tower is an eyesore.' Demolition of former Nabisco factory tower set to begin after 1-year delay

'The tower is an eyesore.' Demolition of former Nabisco factory tower set to begin after 1-year delay

1:03
Rep. Gottheimer announces another attempt to put an end to NYC’s congestion pricing plan

Rep. Gottheimer announces another attempt to put an end to NYC’s congestion pricing plan

0:29
Former Wawa gas attendant accused of stealing thousands of dollars from customers

Former Wawa gas attendant accused of stealing thousands of dollars from customers

1:33
AAA: New Jersey gas prices increase nearly 20 cents from last week

AAA: New Jersey gas prices increase nearly 20 cents from last week

2:12
Princeton University accused of violating civil rights of Jewish students

Princeton University accused of violating civil rights of Jewish students

0:37
Prosecutors: Former Jersey City police officer charged with sex assault, criminal restraint

Prosecutors: Former Jersey City police officer charged with sex assault, criminal restraint

0:27
Washington Township police issues warning over 'Water Wars' game

Washington Township police issues warning over 'Water Wars' game

0:34
Camden County man charged in crash that killed young mother

Camden County man charged in crash that killed young mother

2:18
Remnants of bird flu virus found in pasteurized milk, FDA says

Remnants of bird flu virus found in pasteurized milk, FDA says

0:32
US banning TikTok? Your key questions answered

US banning TikTok? Your key questions answered

0:35
Bon Jovi docuseries premieres Friday on Hulu

Bon Jovi docuseries premieres Friday on Hulu

0:31
New federal rule would bar 'noncompete' agreements for most employees

New federal rule would bar 'noncompete' agreements for most employees

1:02
Composting can save money, help gardens and save the planet. Here are 10 tips to get you started

Composting can save money, help gardens and save the planet. Here are 10 tips to get you started