Police Brutality Attorney NYC

When officers sworn to protect you instead use violence against you, it’s a betrayal that leaves lasting scars. At Lovelace Law, I stand with victims of excessive force and fight to hold the NYPD accountable for their actions.

Voices of Survivors I've Represented

Thanks to Kawan's expertise and determination, I was awarded $10,000 for the injustice I had faced. I am beyond grateful for his help. He turned a frustrating and stressful experience into a victory, and I couldn’t be more thankful for the impact he’s had on my life. I highly recommend him to anyone in need of legal support because he is truly exceptional at what he does.

Jonathan L. False arrest

The police really hurt my son inflicting some pretty serious injuries on him. As a family we felt really helpless in trying to get justice. Mr. Kawan gave us a voice and was able to get my son a 6-figure settlement. He was so helpful and on point in order to get the case settled quickly, and he would always call to update us and answer any questions that we had.

Nancy C. False arrest

My lawyer, Kawan Lovelace handled my case with compassion and determination. His approach was sincere and genuine. He made sure to explain every detail of the case and what his ideal goal was at the end. He was truly available to answer any questions I had in a way I could understand. Mr. Lovelace never judged me. He understood me and treated me like a person. His guidance gave me hope. I am beyond grateful for the outcome.

Ashanti A False arrest

When I was falsely arrested and deprived of my property by NYPD, I felt completely helpless as to how to clear my name and regain my belongings. Kawan successfully represented me in my claim against the City by negotiating a settlement to compensate me for the horrors of being falsely put through the system. Thanks Kawan for empowering me and for giving me back my voice.

Javier J False arrest

I am incredibly grateful for the expertise and dedication of my lawyer, Mr. Kawan. From the start, he took the time to truly understand my situation, offering personalized advice and guidance every step of the way. He’s smart approach and deep understanding of the law made all the difference.

Atef A. False arrest

5.0 Average Rating from 150+ verified clients

When Force Becomes Brutality

The physical pain hits you first. Your body remembers every strike, every impact with the pavement, every second you couldn’t breathe.

I’m so sorry this happened to you. What officers did to you was wrong, and you didn’t deserve it.

Police brutality leaves injuries that show up on X-rays and in medical bills. Broken bones. Concussions. Torn ligaments. Scars that never fully fade. You’re facing surgeries, physical therapy, medications you’ll take for months or years. The bills pile up for treatment of injuries the police caused.

But the trauma goes deeper than what doctors can see.

You might be having nightmares where you relive the attack. Your heart races when you see a patrol car. The sight of a uniform can trigger panic you can’t control. You avoid neighborhoods where police might be. You can’t trust anyone wearing a badge, even though they’re supposed to protect you.

Some days the fear is overwhelming. Other days it’s the anger at how powerless you felt when they hurt you.

You might be dealing with:

Physical injuries requiring ongoing medical treatment
Permanent scarring or disability that affects your daily life
PTSD symptoms like flashbacks, hypervigilance, or avoidance
Lost income because you couldn’t work during recovery
Medical debt from treating injuries police inflicted
Fear and anxiety that makes you avoid situations where you might encounter officers
The feeling that no one will believe you when you report what happened

I hear you. I can imagine how horrible this felt. I’m sorry this was done to you.

What happened to you shouldn’t happen to anyone, regardless of the circumstances. Officers crossed a line, and you deserve justice for it.

No Situation Justifies Excessive Force

Let me be clear about something: even if you were being arrested, police can only use reasonable force. That’s the law.

Maybe you were arguing with them. Maybe you were running. Maybe you pulled away when they grabbed you. None of that gives officers the right to beat you, choke you, or shoot you. Their response has to match the situation.

I understand what you’re going through because I’ve seen this from both sides. I spent eight years as an NYPD detective, and I know exactly how officers are trained. They learn de-escalation techniques. They’re taught that violence should be the last resort, not the first response.

When they chose to hurt you instead, they violated that training and your constitutional rights.

Compliance doesn’t mean you forfeit your right to humane treatment:

Officers can’t beat you for talking back or showing attitude
Once you’re handcuffed and controlled, continued violence is almost never justified
Your criminal history doesn’t give them permission to brutalize you
Running from police doesn’t authorize them to use excessive force when they catch you
Having a mental health crisis or disability makes you more vulnerable, not less deserving of protection

I’ve worked cases where officers claimed someone was “resisting” when body camera footage showed nothing of the sort. I’ve seen reports where they exaggerated threats to justify unjustifiable violence.

I believe you, and I’m here to help you seek justice.

Holding Officers Accountable for Excessive Force

I handle cases involving all forms of excessive force by NYPD officers. Every type of brutality I see leaves real damage, and every victim deserves compensation for what was done to them.

Common forms of police brutality include:

Beatings and physical assault with fists, batons, or other objects
Improper use of tasers or pepper spray against compliant individuals
Chokeholds and neck restraints that restrict breathing
K-9 attacks where dogs are deployed without justification or not called off
Shootings of unarmed individuals who posed no threat
Force used during mental health crises when de-escalation was possible
Violence against restrained or handcuffed individuals who cannot defend themselves
Multiple officers ganging up on one person with overwhelming force

As someone who worked inside this system, I know how to fight back. I understand the tactics officers use and the excuses they make. I know how to prove they crossed the line.

The Law Limits How Much Force Police Can Use

The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects you from excessive force during arrests and seizures. This isn’t just an abstract legal principle. It’s your fundamental right.

Officers must use only force that’s “objectively reasonable” under the circumstances. Not what they felt like doing. Not what they claim they were afraid of. What a reasonable officer would have done in that exact situation.

Courts look at specific factors when deciding if force was reasonable:

01.

How serious was the alleged crime

02.

Did you pose an immediate threat to officers or others

03.

Were you actively resisting arrest or trying to flee

04.

How much force did officers use compared to the situation

05.

Did officers have other options available that would have been less violent

These standards come from a Supreme Court case called Graham v. Connor. The Court said force must be proportional to the situation. Officers can’t escalate to violence just because they’re frustrated or angry.

Here’s what that means in real terms: if you’re handcuffed and on the ground, punching you in the face is almost never reasonable. If you’re having a mental health crisis and not threatening anyone, shooting you probably isn’t reasonable.
If you’re running away unarmed, beating you unconscious when they catch you isn’t reasonable.

I can file a Section 1983 civil rights claim in federal court. This law allows you to sue officers who violated your constitutional rights under color of law. You can also pursue claims under New York State human rights protections.

Let me be honest with you about what we can realistically expect based on my experience with the city. The system is designed to protect officers, but I know how to build cases that break through those protections.

Police Violence Isn't Just "Part of the Job"

You were hurt. You were violated. And the officers responsible need to answer for what they did. Whether you were hospitalized, arrested, or threatened, I’ll investigate the use of force, challenge the officer’s justification, and fight for every dollar you deserve.

I can help you hold NYPD financially accountable for their actions and the harm they caused. This is about getting your dignity back.

I'm building the strongest possible case to secure the justice you deserve. That starts with gathering every piece of evidence that shows what really happened.

Body camera footage often tells a different story than what officers write in their reports. I file Freedom of Information Law requests to obtain all video from the incident, including dashboard cameras and any surveillance footage from the area.

Your injuries are powerful evidence. I work with medical experts who can explain exactly how your injuries occurred and whether they're consistent with the force officers claim they used. Sometimes the medical evidence proves they're lying.

Here's how I build your case:

Obtaining body camera and dashboard camera footage through FOIL requests
Reviewing bystander videos and surveillance recordings from businesses or buildings
Analyzing medical records that document every injury you suffered
Consulting use-of-force experts who testify about proper police procedures
Working with medical professionals who explain your injuries to a jury
Examining the officer's training records and disciplinary history
Interviewing civilian witnesses who saw what happened
Comparing the officer's testimony to physical evidence that contradicts their claims
Exposing false police reports and attempts to cover up misconduct

I spent eight years as an NYPD detective, so I know how officers think and what they're trained to do. I know the difference between lawful force and excessive force. I understand the tactics they use to justify unjustifiable violence.

That insider knowledge helps me spot inconsistencies in their stories and build cases that hold up in court.

Let me walk you step by step through the process and make this as simple as possible. You'll be informed, prepared, and confident at every stage.

I can't take away what happened, but I can help you get financial justice for the harm you suffered.

You're entitled to compensation for every way this violence affected your life. That includes obvious expenses like medical bills, but it goes much deeper.

You can recover damages for:

Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgery, and ongoing treatment
Lost income from time you couldn't work while recovering from injuries
Future lost earnings if injuries caused permanent disability
Permanent scarring or disfigurement that affects your appearance
Physical pain and suffering from the attack and your injuries
Emotional trauma including PTSD, anxiety, and depression
Loss of enjoyment of life when injuries prevent activities you used to do
Punitive damages designed to punish egregious conduct by officers

The severity of your injuries matters. So does the officer's conduct. Was the force malicious? Did they keep attacking after you were subdued? Did multiple officers gang up on you? These factors heavily influence the amount you can recover.

Based on my experience working with the city, I know what cases are worth and how to fight for maximum compensation. I've seen settlements and verdicts ranging from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the circumstances.

You deserve justice, and I'm going to fight to get it for you.

You Have 90 Days to File Against NYC

This is critical, so I need you to hear this clearly: you have only 90 days from the date of the incident to file a Notice of Claim against New York City.

This isn’t the lawsuit itself. It’s a prerequisite. But if you miss this deadline, you lose your right to sue. Period.

The countdown starts from the date officers used excessive force against you, not from when you finished medical treatment or when you decided to pursue a claim. Miss the deadline by even one day, and your case is almost always over before it begins.

Here's what you need to know about the Notice of Claim:

It must be filed within 90 days of the incident with no exceptions
This deadline applies to claims against NYC, not just individual officer
Federal civil rights claims may have different timing, but don’t wait to find out
Don’t wait for any criminal case to resolve before filing your Notice of Claim
Evidence disappears over time, and memories fade
Body camera footage might be deleted if we don’t preserve it quickly

I’m being honest with you: this deadline has killed more good cases than bad legal arguments ever could. The city relies on victims missing this deadline, and then they don’t have to answer for what their officers did.

Call me now while evidence and memories are fresh. Every day that passes makes your case harder to prove.

Experienced in Police Misconduct Litigation

I know how this system works because I was part of it. Eight years as an NYPD detective taught me how officers think, how they justify force, and how the department protects them.

Now I use that insider knowledge to fight back.

I have a deep understanding of use-of-force law and police tactics. I know what training officers receive and when they violate it. I can spot the inconsistencies in their reports and the lies they tell to cover up excessive force.

When you work with me, you get:

Access to expert witnesses who can testify about proper police procedures
Experience cross-examining police officers and exposing their false testimony
FOIL expertise to obtain department records and videos the city doesn’t want to release
Trial experience in Brooklyn Supreme, Queens Supreme, and Bronx Supreme Courts
Federal court litigation experience in EDNY and SDNY
A track record of securing settlements and verdicts against NYPD
A compassionate approach that recognizes the trauma you’ve experienced

I take cases other firms won’t touch. I fight for people the system tried to silence. Your life has value, and your story matters.

Let me be honest with you about what we can realistically expect based on my experience with the city. I’ll give you straight answers, even when they’re hard to hear. But I’ll also build the strongest case possible and fight like hell for the justice you deserve.

NYC Police Brutality Representation

Queens

Serving all neighborhoods throughout Queens County with dedicated False Imprisonment

Including: Astoria, Flushing, Jamaica, Long Island City, and all surrounding areas

Bronx

Comprehensive legal services for False Imprisonment cases throughout the Bronx

Including: South Bronx, Fordham, Riverdale, Concourse, and all surrounding areas

Brooklyn

Expert False Imprisonment advocacy for clients throughout Brooklyn and surrounding communities.

Including: Park Slope, Williamsburg, Crown Heights, Bay Ridge, and all surrounding areas

Common Questions About Police Brutality Claims

Can I sue if I was doing something wrong when police used force?

Yes. Even suspects have constitutional rights. The question isn’t whether you committed a crime. It’s whether the force officers used was excessive for the situation. I’ve won cases for clients who were legitimately being arrested but were brutalized in the process.

What if there's no video of what happened?

Cases can be won without video. Your injuries are evidence. Witnesses matter. Medical records matter. Inconsistencies in police reports matter. I’ve built successful cases using these other forms of proof when video wasn’t available.

Will the police just protect their own?

The “blue wall of silence” is real. I know because I lived behind it for eight years. But lawyers can break through it with evidence, expert testimony, and aggressive cross-examination. Body cameras have made this easier because footage doesn’t lie.

How long do I have to file a police brutality lawsuit in NYC?

You must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days. That’s not the lawsuit itself, but you can’t sue without it. The statute of limitations for the actual lawsuit is typically one to three years depending on claim type, but the 90-day deadline is what kills most cases.

What if I'm facing criminal charges?

Criminal and civil cases are separate. You can pursue a civil rights claim regardless of your criminal case outcome. Many police brutality victims had criminal charges that were later dismissed or reduced. Even convictions don’t automatically bar excessive force claims.

What if I need medical attention while in police custody?

Best practice is to request immediate medical attention while in police custody, so you can get real-time documentation of your injuries. Officers will often try to dissuade you from going to the hospital, by telling you that it will slow down your arrest process. Although this may be true, it’s imperative that you get documentation, because proof of your injuries is how you make your case stronger. The practice of police officers dissuading you from going to the hospital is how they cover up their misconduct.

Can I sue the City of New York or just the officer?

You can sue both. Individual officers can be sued under Section 1983. The city can be sued under Monell if the excessive force resulted from inadequate training, supervision, or department policies. I evaluate both options for every case.

Don't Let Police Violence Go Unanswered

You deserve accountability and compensation. I offer free consultations and work on contingency, so you pay no fees unless we win. Every case sends a message that excessive force won’t be tolerated.