MIAMI (WSVN) - A man who said he was the victim of a rough arrest plans to sue the City of Miami Police Department.
Oscar Julien-Riou said he was wrongfully arrested by a City of Miami Police officer at Alonzo Kelly Park, located at 1455 NW 67th St., on the night of Dec. 18, 2018.
Julien-Riou, a veteran and retired nurse, said he was doing nothing wrong other than recording a video journal when he was taken to the ground and held there without any justifiable reason.
His video journal recording and bodycam footage from police were used as evidence in the internal affairs investigation, but the officer involved in the arrest was cleared.
The investigation showed several discrepancies between the officer’s report and the video, however.
The video shows the officer saying to Julien-Riou, “You know the park is closed at this time right?” The park was closed, but there were no signs indicating that.
The officer’s report alleged that Julien-Riou threw something, which is when he was taken to the ground.
“You’re hurting me, sir,” Julien Riou repeatedly said to the officer. A charge of resisting arrest was later dropped.
Julien-Riou attended a news conference Thursday morning standing in front of the park bench where he said his rough and wrongful arrest took place.
“Make this my altar! I was praying to my father! My First Amendment right was violated!” he screamed into the mic. “I was yanked down. It was violated. It was out of hand.”
Rawsi Williams, Julien-Riou’s attorney, said, “I want him fired, so nobody else has to endure this. In this report they found themselves that officer Llanes lied.”
Williams said, “We are demanding that Officer Llanes be terminated and that that happens right quickly, and so today, I put you on notice that we will fight back legally. Pay attention, because your time is up, and I’m coming.”
The City of Miami responded with a statement from city attorney Victoria Mendez saying in part, “My office has advised the chief not to comment since we are in litigation. However, a review of this matter indicates that our police internal affairs section conducted a thorough investigation of this case.”
Julien-Riou’s attorney has also asked the Miami Civilian Investigative Panel to look into the case.
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