Man claims injuries from police restraints

BRIDGETON – A 45-year-old Millville man claims arresting officers injured “one and/or both” of his wrists and hands in binding his hands during a search for drugs at his residence.

Troy D. Brooks is seeking unspecified damages from the city of Millville and possibly New Jersey State Police, according to a lawsuit filed in Cumberland County Superior Court on Feb. 3.

The lawsuit states that Brooks was arrested on Feb. 6, 2015 when city and state police executed a search warrant on Brooks and on 19 East McNeal Street as part of an investigation into drug distribution. The search found drug paraphernalia and a small amount of suspected marijuana, something Brooks is not denying.

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However, Brooks alleges wire or plastic restraints were used on him in place of handcuffs and that he was kept restrained for about four hours.

“Plaintiff sustained personal injury to one and/or both of his wrists and/or hands, and/or aggravated a pre-existing condition, for which he has received treatment,” the suit states. Plaintiff was subjected to excessive force, which was unnecessary under the circumstances to effect his arrest and/or detention, and which excessive force caused him injury.”

Millville is the only named defendant in the suit because evidence in the criminal case against Brooks was not clear who, from the different law enforcement bodies present, actually placed the restraints on him.

Vineland attorney Louis Shapiro represents Brooks.

Joseph P. Smith; (856) 563-5252; jsmith@gannettnj.com