Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Chief of Police Troy Oswald issue a brief statement regarding an arrest made and police use of force on September 28, 2018, in the City of Paterson. The information in this statement is based upon written Paterson Police reports, a criminal complaint, and publicly-circulated video.
Officials say on September 28th at approximately 6 p.m., police records reflect that officers in the Paterson Police Department were in the area of Godwin Avenue, between Rosa Parks Boulevard and Carroll Street, in the City of Paterson.
The officers conducted a motor vehicle stop that led to a narcotics arrest. While uniformed officers were waiting for the involved vehicle to be towed, a crowd formed and appeared to be agitated by the arrest.
An individual identified as Raasean Adams, 42, of Paterson, approached the police. Mr. Adams appeared to the police to be intoxicated and was holding a cup of what is believed to be alcohol.
Upon approaching the police officers, Mr. Adams allegedly attempted to take the keys to the vehicle involved in the narcotics arrest from an officer’s hand.
The police officers advised Mr. Adams several times to leave the scene but he refused. Acquaintances of Mr. Adams pleaded with him to comply.
Bystanders at the scene indicated to the police that Mr. Adams is hearing-impaired.
During the encounter with police, Mr. Adams allegedly turned toward a police officer and threw a lit cigarette at him.
Officials say Mr. Adams was then advised that he was under arrest and officers attempted to take control of him. Mr. Adams is seen on the video flailing his arms attempting to avoid being handcuffed. Police officers took Mr. Adams to the ground and attempted to handcuff him behind his back.
When Mr. Adams continued to refuse to allow his hands to be cuffed behind his back, one of the officers struck Mr. Adams with his elbow to gain compliance.
The officer reported that after several failed attempts to handcuff Mr. Adams, the officer utilized OC spray to Mr. Adam’s face.
The crowd became agitated and someone from the crowd threw a bottle in the direction of an officer, nearly striking him in the head. Ultimately
officers were able to handcuff Mr. Adams with his hands in front of his body, but when they attempted to transport him he allegedly refused to enter the patrol vehicle and threw himself on the ground.
The reports indicated that he was transported to the hospital for evaluation and then released to the custody of the Paterson Police Department.
Mr. Adams was charged by the Paterson Police Department with Resisting Arrest in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-2a(1), a disorderly persons offense, and Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(5)(a), a crime of the third degree.
Mr. Adams pleaded guilty on October 2, 2018, before the Hon. Donna Gallucio, J.S.C., to an amended charge of Obstructing Administration of Law or Other Governmental Function in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-1, a disorderly persons offense.
Mr. Adams stated he was present on Godwin Avenue while members of the Paterson Police Department were attempting to tow a vehicle.
He started to behave in an agitated way while between the police and the motor vehicle, interfering with the officers’ official functions.
He was sentenced at the same proceeding and ordered to pay mandatory fines and penalties.
The police use of force was referred to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office in consultation with the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General has determined that the use of physical and mechanical force does not give rise to criminal charges against any of the involved officers based upon the New Jersey Attorney General’s Use of Force Policy and the New Jersey criminal code. The New Jersey Attorney General’s Use of Force Policy can be found at: www.nj.gov/oag/dcj/agguide/useofforce2001.pdf.
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Chief of Police Troy Oswald will review the entire police response to the incident to determine if all Departmental policies and guidelines were followed and take administrative or corrective action, if appropriate.
Moreover, Prosecutor Valdes and Chief Oswald will review current de-escalation training to determine if additional or modified training should be undertaken.