UPPER EAST SIDE, Manhattan (PIX11) — An NYPD officer was suspended without pay after bodycam footage showed him allegedly kicking a woman who was accused of running over an officer in her car on Park Avenue, according to officials.
The video posted to social media showed the moments NYPD officers placed Sahara Dula, 24, in police custody on Jan. 17.
Dula, who posted the video on her social media, can be heard in the video yelling at the arresting officers.
"I don't give a [expletive], kill me, kill me then," she can be heard yelling.
Officers wrestled Dula to the ground, and while lying restrained on the street, an unidentified officer was seen kicking Dula in the head.
Dula's attorney, Patricia Wright, told PIX11 News:
"We condemn the actions taken by the officer after Ms. Dula’s arrest. This incident raises serious concerns about the level of care individuals should receive post-arrest. We hope a thorough investigation will be conducted into this matter, and we call for accountability in ensuring the rights and well-being of all individuals in custody," Wright said.
Officials said the incident is still under internal investigation.
Officer Ruchiran Dias stopped Dula, who was allegedly driving the wrong way, before she briefly stopped. The Lexus had been traveling south in the northbound lanes of Park Avenue. Suddenly, it accelerated and struck Dias, causing him to fly over the hood and onto the pavement.
Dula was arraigned on charges including aggravated assault on a police officer with a deadly weapon.
In court documents, she allegedly told investigators she had just smoked weed and stated, “[expletive] these cops; he wouldn’t move. I told the cop I wanted to go straight, and he would not move, so I hit him. I did it on purpose.”
“Knocked him straight to the ground. He could have been killed. We believe she tried to kill him,” PBA President Patrick Hendry said back in January.
He visited Dias in the hospital after suffering a broken leg and other injuries.
Hendry questioned why Dula was not charged with attempted murder.
“It’s clear she tried to mow down a New York City police officer,” Hendry said, “the criminal justice system is broken.”
In court, Dula’s attorney said the Brooklyn woman has bipolar disorder, is on medication, and gets mental health help.
Dias was struck while guarding another vehicle linked to an unrelated high-end retail robbery on Madison Avenue.
Jonathan Rizk is a digital journalist who has covered local news in the New York City and Washington D.C. areas. He has been with PIX11 since August 2022. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.