Paterson settles mother, daughter’s excessive force lawsuit

The city’s governing body settled an excessive force lawsuit filed by a mother and her daughter who alleged two police officers conducted a warrantless search and seizure of their home, according to court documents.

Council members approved $3,000 to settle the federal lawsuit filed by Anald S. Lopez and Antonia Lopez last Tuesday.

The daughter Anald Lopez and the mother Antonia Lopez alleged police officers Christopher Ravallese and Kevin Kunzig used excessive force when they allegedly broke down the family’s apartment door February 5th, 2011 to conduct a search, according to court records.

At about 10 p.m. on that date, the two police officers allegedly kicked in the apartment door. Anald Lopez was pushed against the wall and handcuffed. Her mother was pushed away by the officers, according to court documents.

The lawsuit also alleges the police officers did not identify themselves prior to breaking down the door. The officers responded to a call of loud music coming out of an apartment, according to the lawsuit.

Anald Lopez “was arrested on [sic] a night gown and pants [sic] no coat in a [sic] frozing [sic] night,” reads the complaint.

Police allegedly searched the entire apartment and took an old samurai sword from the closet.

When the two officers were asked whether they had a warrant, the two officer “got angrier” and allegedly pushed Anald Lopez, telling her to “shut-up, Mexican spic.”

Anald Lopez, responded at the derogatory remark, “I informed him I was born a U.S. citizen,” reads the lawsuit.

The mother and daughter sued for false arrest, excessive use of force, and search and seizure without warrant or consent, according to the lawsuit.

Council members voted to approve the $3,000 settlement which was inside a package of other resolutions.

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http://www.facebook.com/animalabusewar Animal Abuse War

$3000?
those bad & nasty cops should be fired.they are the few that make us not like or trust the rest.
- ESood
  
  It is funny that in two sentences you can show how ignorant you truly are. This isn't journalism, it is baiting for clicks. You don't even get the police officers side of the story. I would bet that you couldn't handle being a Paterson police office for more than 3 hrs. In fact, If you got lost driving around Paterson you would call the police because your scared and when they arrive you would get on your knees and thank those officers you just said should be fired. You are an embarrassment to humans, there are plenty of animals smarter than you.
rosepompey

Most of The Paterson Police are genuinely hard-working men and woman.
They care about the city in one way or another.
They come in to do their job and make a difference, but, sometimes Paterson can overwhelm even
the most seasoned and dedicated officers. The work and the ever increasing feeling that you are not appreciated for your efforts will sometimes twist your ideals and land you somewhere in "badcopville".
- http://www.facebook.com/animalabusewar Animal Abuse War
  
  i know many of our officers & am aware that some on the force are truly exceptional, but something has to be done about the bully cops.i only trust the ones i know. it shouldn't be that way.i should be able to trust any cop that shows up without worrying.its a sad situation.