Yonkers may pay $198K in police misconduct suit

YONKERS — The City Council is expected to vote Tuesday on a $198,000 settlement for a New York City police sergeant who said he was beaten by Yonkers police officers.

Kenneth Kissiedu was arrested in 2010 on allegations that he obstructed a larceny investigation; he was acquitted in 2011. Kissiedu then filed a federal lawsuit against Yonkers in 2013, alleging violations of his civil rights.

Kissiedu, who is black, was off duty and heading to work in the 41st Precinct in the Bronx when the incident happened. He left a Main Street automated teller machine and was on Buena Vista Avenue when he was approached by two Yonkers officers in a cruiser who were looking for a Hispanic man.

One of the officers, Thomas Cleary, testified at Kissiedu's criminal trial that he punched the sergeant in the face after Kissiedu reached in his clothing for what Cleary feared was a weapon. After Kissiedu was wrestled to the ground, the officers found his gun and badge.

Kissiedu's attorney in the civil rights case, David Gottlieb, could not immediately be reached for comment.

In 2011, then Yonkers Police Commissioner Edmund Hartnett stood by the actions of his officers and called Kissiedu's conduct reckless and unprofessional. Kissiedu was suspended for 30 days without pay after the incident.

On Friday Yonkers Corporation Counsel Michael Curti said it was in the city's best interests to settle the matter.

"There is no admission of wrongdoing by anyone. The issue in this case, as in many cases, is whether or not we wish to risk exposing the city and its taxpayers to attorneys' fees which could be substantial," Curti wrote in an email.

Twitter: @ErnieJourno