HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (PIX11) -- A man says he is suing the Nassau County Police Department after being wrongfully arrested in a case of mistaken identity.
Tyrone Phifer announced his lawsuit against the police department and released video of his arrest during a press conference in Hempstead Thursday morning.
“Nassau county and defendants..have systematically failed to identify the improper abuse, misuse, and violative acts by police officers and officials, while further failing to subject such officers and officials to discipline, closer supervision, and/or restraint,” the complaint said.
Phifer recounted the events from Dec. 22, 2021, when he says he was approached by police after leaving an appointment at the foot doctor. He says he was then placed in a restraining hold, during which police tackled him to the ground, kneeled on him, and pulled him up by his arms, according to court documents.
After 10 months of criminal court proceedings, Phifer was found innocent of multiple charges, including obstructing governmental administration.
The grandfather of eight says he’s continuing to recover from the distress of being wrongly charged and racially profiled.
Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here.
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