- Police Brutality Watch

An island man’s lawsuit claims a police officer beat him after issuing ethnic slurs. After a 2003 encounter with police officers, Emmanuel “Alex” Watson faces two criminal charges stemming from the altercation, but his lawyer told The Daily News later that year that he was the assault victim. Police were at the Residence at West Beach apartments, in the 3200 block of 69th Street on March 30, 2003, investigating a resident’s complaint about men shooting a BB gun at exterior lights at the complex. The lawsuit claims Watson was leaving with his daughter, 5, and two other men when he saw a uniformed man standing by what the suit describes as a “fishing spot” on the property, talking to another officer. When Watson asked the men what the best type of bait for the pond was, the suit claims, the uniformed officer used profanity and an ethnic slur against him. The police report stated that Watson ... a native of Venezuela ... was only asked his name. At first, Watson gave only his last name, and after a brief verbal exchange, his lawsuit claims, the officer grabbed him by the throat, slung him to the ground and began beating him. The lawsuit claims the other officer held Watson’s two companions back while the assault occurred. [more] and [more]