25-1714 : Wyatt - BPD Miscounduct Article

This agenda item, "Wyatt - BPD Miscounduct Article," concerns a civil lawsuit filed by Dean Taylor against Buffalo Police Officers Kyle Moriarty and Christopher Bridgett. The case stems from a September 1, 2019, incident where Taylor was videotaping a crime scene and was allegedly assaulted by the officers. Despite a jury initially ruling in favor of the officers, State Supreme Court Judge John DelMonte overturned the verdict, finding that the officers lacked probable cause to arrest Taylor and that his constitutional rights were violated. The judge ordered a new trial solely to determine damages.

The document also highlights previous incidents involving these officers that have resulted in significant costs to the city:

• Officer Bridgett was involved in a 2018 incident that led to a $30,000 settlement and a pending lawsuit from a 2024 rear-end collision. He also had an off-duty incident in 2022.
• Officer Moriarty was named in a lawsuit settled for $1.1 million after striking a man with a police car in 2017.

The city's lawyers have indicated an intention to appeal Judge DelMonte's decision.