A New York City police officer finds himself facing assault charges after a disturbing incident unfolded during a call to assist an emotionally distressed child. The officer in question, Christian Zapata, has been indicted on third-degree assault charges for repeatedly striking a 43-year-old man, Jerome Collins, more than a dozen times in the face.
The entire episode was captured on a body camera.
The incident occurred on December 7, 2022, when the police responded to a crisis involving an immunocompromised teenager in a Harlem apartment. Collins requested that the officers wear face masks, as mandated when indoors, but they refused.
Zapata accused Collins of interfering with their response and threatened arrest. Subsequently, another officer joined Zapata in escorting Collins out of the apartment, and during this process, Zapata unleashed about 13 punches on Collins in a mere nine seconds. Other officers had to intervene to stop the beating.
Following the incident, Zapata can be seen on body camera footage apologizing to Collins' son, acknowledging the trauma caused to the young boy. Despite Zapata's apology, Collins expressed his concern about how this incident affects his son's perception of the police.
Initially, Collins was arrested but later released, with the district attorney's office choosing to charge Zapata while treating Collins as a witness. Manhattan District Attorney Bragg emphasized the importance of impartially investigating instances of law enforcement's use of unnecessary force to maintain public safety and confidence in the criminal justice system.
Zapata faced immediate suspension after the altercation and was subsequently demoted from sergeant to officer in August. He also received a suspension without pay. In his defense, Zapata wrote a letter to the police commissioner, claiming that he perceived Collins as a threat and acted to protect fellow officers.
Zapata has pleaded not guilty to the assault charge and is currently out of jail, awaiting trial, scheduled for January 18.
Collins has also filed a lawsuit against Zapata and his colleagues in Manhattan Supreme Court. While Zapata faces local prosecution, Collins and his attorney advocate for more substantial charges, calling the misdemeanor a "slap on the wrist."
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