Brutal Police Stop in Inkster, MI

A police dash camera caught Inkster police using excessive force on 57 year old Floyd Dent during a traffic stop on January 28, 2015.

He was originally stopped for running a stop sign. Dent was thrown to the ground, put into a choke hold by Officer William Melendez, and started to punch his head repeatedly. Other officers kicked Dent and used a taser on him. Dent testified that he briefly passed out during the beating. Dent was hospitalized for three days after the incident because he suffered from broken ribs and bleeding in his brain, which affected his memory and speech.
Dent was charged with obstructing officers, and possession of cocaine. Dent and his attorney believe that one of the police officers planted the cocaine in Dent's car. Both of the charges were dropped. Dent passed a polygraph test in March where he was asked if he verbally threatened the officers, if the police were correct about the cocaine in his car, and if he was lying about the drugs. He answered, "No," to each question and passed.

Dent filed a lawsuit against the city and settled for nearly $1.4 million.

There were originally two police officers involved, but soon nine more officers came to the scene to assist Melendez. There is an additional video that shows what happened at the police station after they arrested Dent. It shows the police officers celebrating and re-enacting the incident while Dent is present.
These videos were not initially turned over from the police station during Dent's investigation. The Inkster police claim that the videos were not specifically requested.

Officer William Melendez will face trial on assault with intention to do great bodily harm, assault by strangulation, and misconduct charges. Melendez was fired by the city manager this past April, but he is working as a police officer in a nearby city. Melendez denies any wrongdoing.

Melendez has a history of misconduct and has acquired the nickname, "Robocop." He has been sued 12 times for unreasonable force, and cost Detroit $1 million for a 1996 shooting death during a traffic stop.

The former Inkster police chief, Hilton Napoleon, has said that the police union and administrative bureaucracy made it difficult to fire problem officers who don't belong on the force. The police chief at time of the incident has resigned, and the police station started getting investigated about two months after the incident. The other officers will be under investigation, but they have yet to be officially charged with anything.

Comments from Allen:
Any police department is taking a big risk hiring Melendez, based on his apparent history of using unreasonable force on suspects; this guy should not work as a cop again, end of story. From the moment he was hired, he was a lawsuit waiting to happen. With evidence of falsifying evidence, use of excessive force and then mocking the beaten suspect, this case had clear liability for compensatory damages and probable liability for punitive damages under the federal civil rights law, 42 USC 1983.

The suit would have been filed against the cop, but the police department's insurance company is on the hook for paying the bill. For United States Constitutional reasons, you cannot sue the police department for this conduct under federal law, but you can sue the individual cop, who will invariably be covered by the police department's insurance for this type of conduct.

The other lesson to be learned from this case is: don't run a stop sign in this town.

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Allen Browning is an attorney in Idaho Falls, Idaho who handles personal injury and criminal defense. He has over 30 years of experience and handled thousands of cases. Allen work with cases from all over Idaho. Call (208) 542-2700 to set up a free consultation if you are facing legal trouble or you have been involved in an accident.

Also, check out browninglaw.net for more information about Allen and Browning Law.

Allen Browning can help with all personal injury claims including motor vehicle accidents, serious and disabling accidents, and wrongful death claims. Allen Browning is an attorney who can also help with drunk driving (DUI) , Felony, Misdemeanor, Domestic Violence, Drug Crimes, Theft, Juvenile Crimes, Violent Crimes, and Probation/Parole Violations. He is one of the most experienced and successful criminal defense attorneys in Idaho.


Attorney Allen Browning can help with all personal injury claims including motor vehicle accidents, serious and disabling accidents, and wrongful death claims.

Sources for more information:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/28/william-melendez-preliminary-hearing-floyd-dent_n_7463644.html

http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2015/05/28/agreement-inkster-floyd-dent/28052249/

http://www.courtchatter.com/#!Court-conference-scheduled-for-officer-in-beating-of-motorist-during-Inskter-traffic-stop/c1oiw/5584367f0cf25bae5caa537c

http://www.courtchatter.com/#!Former-Michigan-Cop-William-Melendez-to-Stand-Trial-for-Beating-of-Unarmed-Man-Floyd-Dent/c1oiw/5567fdfe0cf248741765fad8

http://patch.com/michigan/wyandotte/robocop-accused-severely-beating-black-man-traffic-stop-has-notorious-history-0

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/defenders-exclusive-new-video-shows-inkster-cops-laughing-while-floyd-dent-bleeds/32581034


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