Rochester man sues police, alleges excessive force at his business

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A Rochester man has filed a federal lawsuit accusing Rochester police of excessive force.

Plaintiff Phillip Bryant claims that he was assaulted by police at his business.

Bryant initially filed the complaint in state Supreme Court on March 26. The case was moved to U.S. District Court in Rochester on Tuesday.

Bryant, who is represented by attorney Cortney A. Peterkin, is accusing police of assault, harassment, battery, excessive force, unlawful imprisonment, negligent hiring, training, and retention, and violating Bryant’s civil rights.

Bryant claims that on May 16 police entered his business at 35 Lake Ave., where he repaired and sold automobiles.

“They did so under false pretenses, claiming that they wanted to purchase a vehicle,” according to the complaint.

After entering the business, police told Bryant his cars were being used to commit crimes and they asked for identification for everyone in the building, according to the complaint.

When Bryant was unable to do so, officers claimed he was being “combative,” the suit claims.

The lawsuit claims police “violently pushed and shoved” Bryant, that he was “aggressively detained, “and that they “twisted his arm and hands, and forced him into handcuffs.”

Bryant told the officers he was disabled, but they continued to use force, he claims.

Bryant claims he told the officers he was injured, but “they did not address his medical needs.”

Bryant sustained “severe, painful, and permanent injuries,” the suit claims.

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