By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times
A Queens NYPD officer who was shot under his arm while subduing a suspect last year has filed a lawsuit against the City of New York claiming the department never upgraded his bulletproof vest and placed his life in danger.
The lawsuit states that the officer, Rodney Lewis, was a rookie at the time of the shooting and was never measured for his new vest. His attorney, Matthew Sakkas, told the New York Post that his client was one of several officers assigned to the Queens precinct who were not measured for new vests.
“He was waiting and wondering, ‘What’s gong on?’” said Sakkas.
Mayor Bloomberg pledged new and improved vests for all NYPD officers after officer Dillon Stewart was killed in 2005 when he was shot under his arm where there was a gap between the protective panels.
The vests were supposed to be funded with $12 million in fiscal years 2007 and 2008, but Lewis and others were allegedly not fitted for new vests and as of 2010, Lewis, who returned to the job a few months after he was shot, has still not been fitted for a new vest.
The shooting that injured the officer occurred in Ridgewood on Menahan Street after police had been called to settle a domestic dispute. The bullet lodged into Lewis' skin, but thankfully did not penetrate his chest.
“They are obligated to give him a new vest, but he is still working with a temporary vest,” Sakkas told the New York Post.
The city did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Media Outlets must credit
The Black Urban Times
www.theblackurbantimes.com
The Black Urban Times
A Queens NYPD officer who was shot under his arm while subduing a suspect last year has filed a lawsuit against the City of New York claiming the department never upgraded his bulletproof vest and placed his life in danger.
The lawsuit states that the officer, Rodney Lewis, was a rookie at the time of the shooting and was never measured for his new vest. His attorney, Matthew Sakkas, told the New York Post that his client was one of several officers assigned to the Queens precinct who were not measured for new vests.
“He was waiting and wondering, ‘What’s gong on?’” said Sakkas.
Mayor Bloomberg pledged new and improved vests for all NYPD officers after officer Dillon Stewart was killed in 2005 when he was shot under his arm where there was a gap between the protective panels.
The vests were supposed to be funded with $12 million in fiscal years 2007 and 2008, but Lewis and others were allegedly not fitted for new vests and as of 2010, Lewis, who returned to the job a few months after he was shot, has still not been fitted for a new vest.
The shooting that injured the officer occurred in Ridgewood on Menahan Street after police had been called to settle a domestic dispute. The bullet lodged into Lewis' skin, but thankfully did not penetrate his chest.
“They are obligated to give him a new vest, but he is still working with a temporary vest,” Sakkas told the New York Post.
The city did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Media Outlets must credit
The Black Urban Times
www.theblackurbantimes.com
No comments:
Post a Comment
We appreciates all comments and fosters free speech, however, keep in mind that we have young readers who peruse our site. Having said that, please refrain from using profane language, and know that flaming will not be tolerated. Spam will not be tolerated.