Ex-Cop Accused of Brutality Sues for 'Reverse Racism' After Firing

Officer Spencer Finch's Lawsuit

• 👮‍♂️ Former Paterson police officer Spencer Finch, fired and arrested for brutalizing an unarmed Black man, is now suing his former department.
• ⚖️ Finch claims he is being unfairly targeted because of his race, rather than his documented history of abusing Black men.
• 💡 His lawsuit asserts that his aggressive use of a flashlight was for self-defense and the safety of others.

The Incident with Brandon Cosby

• 📹 Body camera footage shows Finch beating Brandon Cosby with a flashlight 14 times and kneeing him in the face while handcuffed.
• 💥 Finch's legal claim states that using his flashlight was less lethal than a baton, and that Cosby was out of control.
• 🗣️ Finch also accused his partner, Officer Edwin Martinez, of failing to deescalate the situation, which allegedly forced Finch to intervene.

Finch's Defense Claims

• 🏃‍♂️ Finch claims Cosby, a trained wrestler, exhibited superhuman strength and attempted to throw him from a fire escape.
• 🛡️ He further alleges Cosby tried to bite his scrotum while handcuffed, necessitating the knee to the face for self-defense.
• 🚫 These claims are not supported by the body camera video, which shows Martinez holding Cosby against a wall when Finch struck him.

Legal Ramifications and History

• 📉 Cosby's charges, including assault on a police officer and resisting arrest, were dismissed by the prosecutor's office.
• ⚖️ Finch was arrested on charges of aggravated assault, official misconduct, and using a prohibited weapon (his flashlight).
• 💰 Finch was previously acquitted of a 2021 charge against Cosby in December 2023, but a civil case filed by Cosby remains pending.
• 💸 Finch was also involved in a 2018 incident where a lawsuit against him was settled for $500,000, and he faces a pending criminal case for that beating.

Allegations of Systemic Issues

• 📢 Finch's lawsuit lists other officers accused of misconduct who were not fired, bolstering his 'reverse racism' argument.
• 🚫 Cosby's lawsuit claims Finch and Martinez have a history of excessive force complaints against minority individuals without discipline.
• 🌍 The lawsuit also names city and county officials, with Finch alleging racial bias, including mentioning the ethnicity of the Mayor and the race of detectives involved.