Sue NYPD for Cuffing 10-Yr.-Old

Civil rights lawyer Norman Siegel has filed suit against the city on behalf of a 10-year-old girl who was allegedly handcuffed on a Brooklyn school bus in January by two NYPD officers.

NORMAN SIEGEL: Seeks Patrol Guide restriction. Mr. Siegel said he was trying to get the Police Department to change its Patrol Guide to prohibit handcuffing children under the age of 12. The suit seeks $1 million in damages from the two yet unnamed officers, the city, the NYPD and the Department of Education.

At about 3:30 p.m., on Jan. 15, I'Mecca Burton Pearson was riding on a bus on her way home from school in Brooklyn. Two Police Officers from the 79th Precinct boarded the bus and told the children to take their seats. One officer told I'Mecca she was not moving fast enough, then threatened to arrest her. That officer allegedly put his knee in the 10-year-old's back, grabbed her arms, put them behind her back and placed metal handcuffs on her, the lawsuit charges.

I'Mecca suffered physical pain and psychological and emotional trauma because of the incident, according to the lawsuit. "I know it is traumatic," said Mr. Siegel who was handcuffed in 2003. "If it is traumatic for a 60-year-old, I can't imagine how traumatic it was for a 10-year-old."

The lawsuit charges a litany of assault, battery and false imprisonment, but also alleges negligent hiring, retention, training and supervision of the two officers. "That's the surprising thing — there's nothing in the Patrol Guide on handcuffing minors," said Mr. Siegel. "I think we need to address it." The suit also charged the cops did not have probable cause to arrest the young girl.

Mr. Siegel said he has been unsuccessful in attempts to start a dialogue with the NYPD about this case and the broader issue, which is why he filed suit.