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NYPD Captain Routinely Called Black Suspects "Animals," Discrimination Lawsuit Alleges
By
John Del Signore
Published Apr 16, 2012
Modified Apr 16, 2012
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By
John Del Signore
Published Apr 16, 2012
Modified Apr 16, 2012
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Members of an elite NYPD gun unit frequently made bigoted comments about black suspects, including one Captain who regularly referred to blacks as "fu*king animals," according to depositions in a Federal discrimination lawsuit. One former cop has testified that before conducting raids at minority residences, Capt. James Coan would tell the field team, "They are fu*king animals. You make sure if you have to shoot, you shoot them in the head. That way there's one story."
NYPD Lt. Daniel Davin is also accused of frequently using the n-word when referring to black suspects, and one detective has testified that while Davin was training a group of white officers in 2005, he told them, "If you have to shoot a n----r, do what you gotta do." The comment is revoltingly reminiscent of another veteran NYPD officer on Staten Island who was allegedly caught on tape remarking, "Another n---- fried, no big deal."
Coan denies making the racist remarks, and during his deposition he acknowledged that he has been involved with five shootings over the past 20 years, killing two. He also admitted to shooting and killing a pit bull, and the Daily News reports that during his testimony about the dead dog, Coan quipped, "He didn’t sue me."
Tagged
cops
discrimination lawsuit
lawsuit
nypd
racism
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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