What to Do After Police Excessive Force in the Bronx

Steps to Take After Police Misconduct

After an encounter with police that turns violent, your world can feel upside down. You may be injured, confused, and unsure of what to do next. 

In the Bronx, where tension between residents and law enforcement has long been part of the story, taking immediate steps can make a real difference. Knowing your rights and acting quickly helps protect your health and your legal case.

If you or someone you love has experienced excessive force by police, a Bronx civil rights attorney at Horn Wright, LLP, can help you understand your options. Our team knows the law, the local system, and how to stand up for people whose rights have been violated. We’re here to take that weight off your shoulders and fight for what’s right.

Get to Safety and Seek Medical Help

If you’re still at the scene of the incident, your first step is to remove yourself from danger. Police encounters can escalate fast, and staying in a volatile space may put you at further risk. Once you’re in a safe place, get medical care right away.

In the Bronx, you can go to emergency rooms at Lincoln Medical Center or BronxCare Health System. These hospitals are well-equipped and familiar with handling injury documentation. Even if you think your injuries are minor, get checked out. Injuries from physical force or taser use may not be fully visible right away, and adrenaline can mask symptoms.

Medical records serve as a foundation if you decide to pursue legal action later. Be honest with doctors about how your injuries happened. Let them know the cause was a police interaction so it gets properly noted in your chart.

• Visit a Bronx hospital immediately, even for bruises or swelling
• Ask for a full medical report before leaving
• Follow up with your primary care doctor within a few days

If you’re not able to go yourself, ask a friend or family member to call for help or document your injuries until you can receive care.

Preserve Evidence Right Away

Time matters when it comes to preserving evidence. Once the scene clears, it’s often difficult to recover physical proof or visual details. That’s why it’s best to start collecting evidence as soon as possible.

Take clear photos of your injuries, clothing, and anything else related to the incident. If your phone was damaged or taken, borrow someone else’s and upload the images to secure cloud storage. Don’t delete anything. Torn clothing, bruises, cuts, or scraped skin can be powerful visual evidence.

In areas like Fordham Road or near the Grand Concourse, check for traffic or business surveillance cameras. Corner stores, apartment buildings, and even MTA buses may have cameras that caught the incident. Footage often gets deleted after a few days, so act quickly.

• Photograph your body, clothing, and surroundings
• Save copies in more than one place
• Visit the area again to look for camera locations

Keep a record of where and when each photo or video was taken. Detail matters.

Write Down Everything You Remember

Memories fade fast, especially when you’re traumatized. Take time as soon as you’re calm to write everything down. Use your phone’s notes app or a physical notebook to document your account.

Start with the basic details: date, time, and location. Add descriptions of what the officers were wearing, what they said, and how the situation escalated. Note whether they identified themselves and if they gave commands. Include the badge numbers, if visible, or patrol car license plates.

Also, write down who else was there. Witnesses can support your version of events, and their contact information becomes vital later. Even someone who didn’t see everything may remember something useful, like how many officers were present.

• Stick to facts, not opinions
• Include dialogue you heard during the incident
• Make updates if new details come back to you later

This written record helps your legal team connect the dots and ensure nothing important slips through the cracks.

File an Official Complaint

Filing an official complaint helps build the case, even if it doesn’t lead to immediate discipline. You can submit reports to the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) or the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB). The CCRB is an independent agency that investigates police misconduct. Internal Affairs handles reports inside the NYPD.

In the Bronx, you can file complaints online, by phone, or in person. The CCRB office is located at 100 Church Street in Manhattan, but you don’t have to travel there to submit your report. Include all available evidence, such as photos, medical reports, and witness names.

Don’t wait too long. Filing within 30 days is best, although some claims can proceed if filed later. Keep copies of everything you submit and document your complaint number.

Find and Contact Witnesses

Eyewitnesses play a huge role in police misconduct cases. Even one person’s testimony can confirm what happened or contradict an officer’s report. Right after the incident, try to remember who was nearby. Think about people walking past, store employees, or anyone recording with their phone.

Return to the location within a day or two if you can. Speak to local shop owners or residents who might have seen something. Be polite but clear. Explain you’re looking for information about a police incident that happened at a specific time.

Ask witnesses to write a statement, make a voice memo, or send a text outlining what they saw. These don’t need to be formal but should include their name and contact information. Share their details with your legal team so they can follow up later.

• Talk to neighbors, store clerks, and passersby
• Collect statements while memories are still fresh
• Ask permission to record conversations, if needed

Don’t pressure anyone to speak. Respect their boundaries and thank them for their time.

Request Surveillance and Body Cam Footage

In New York State, you have the right to request government-held footage through a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request. This applies to NYPD body cameras and some surveillance video. These requests take time, so file them early.

Footage from body-worn cameras can be the most direct form of evidence. It may show whether officers followed policy or acted violently without cause. You’ll need to identify the precinct involved and the date, time, and location of the encounter.

You can also ask nearby businesses or residential buildings to share security footage. Many buildings along East Tremont Avenue or around Yankee Stadium have private cameras. Be respectful when asking and explain why the footage matters. Preserving this video may take persistence, but it can strengthen your position significantly.

Don’t Talk Publicly Without Legal Advice

In the days after an excessive force incident, you might feel the urge to speak out. That’s a natural response to trauma. But hold off on public statements until you’ve spoken with a lawyer. Words said in frustration or anger can be twisted or used against you.

Avoid posting about the event on social media, especially if your account is public. Even a comment that seems harmless could raise doubts or hurt your credibility. The NYPD and city attorneys often review public posts during investigations or lawsuits.

Also, don’t agree to media interviews without legal guidance. News stories may not tell the full picture and sometimes sensationalize traumatic events. Protect yourself by staying quiet until you have a legal strategy in place.

• Don’t share photos or updates online
• Avoid speaking with reporters or city investigators without legal help
• Let your lawyer handle communications

This isn’t about hiding the truth. It’s about staying in control of your story.

Know Your Rights Under New York and Federal Law

Victims of police excessive force have strong legal protections under both federal and New York State law. These rights help hold officers accountable and give you the tools to seek justice.

Federal law prohibits unreasonable searches, seizures, and the use of force under the Fourth Amendment. The Fourteenth Amendment protects against due process violations. Under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983, you can sue officers and departments for civil rights violations.

New York’s own Civil Rights Law Section 79-p supports these protections and mandates transparency when excessive force occurs. Police must report and document use-of-force incidents, and those records are public.

A civil rights attorney will review how these laws apply to your case. You don’t need to know every statute, but you do need someone who does. They’ll use this legal framework to assess your options and decide how best to proceed.

Focus on Recovery, Safety, and Long-Term Support

The emotional toll after police violence often lingers long after bruises heal. Many people carry fear, anxiety, or distrust for years. That’s why recovery includes more than medical treatment. It means finding safety, community, and mental health support.

Start by reaching out to people you trust. Talk with loved ones, community leaders, or support groups in the Bronx. Consider counseling or therapy through providers like Bronx Mental Health Court Services or outpatient programs at Montefiore Medical Center. These services understand trauma and offer care tailored to your experience.

Your recovery might also include:

• Changing routines to avoid high-risk areas
• Taking time off work, if needed
• Joining advocacy or support organizations

No healing path looks the same, but you deserve one that helps you feel grounded again. Give yourself permission to rest and reset, knowing this wasn’t your fault.

You Deserve Justice and Support

If police used excessive force against you or someone you love, take the next step with confidence. 

The Bronx civil rights attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, are here to stand beside you. We’ve helped people hold law enforcement accountable and rebuild after painful trauma. 

Whether you’re gathering evidence or ready to pursue a case, we’re here to guide you with care and strength.