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Paterson Police Officer Pleads Guilty To Using Excessive Force Twice: Prosecutors

A 32-year-old Wayne resident and Paterson police officer pleaded guilty on Thursday, Feb. 8 to using excessive force during two separate arrests in late 2020, the US Attorney's Office announced.

A Paterson police officer pleaded guilty to striking Osamah Alsaidi in the face and body.

A Paterson police officer pleaded guilty to striking Osamah Alsaidi in the face and body.

Photo Credit: Osamah Alsaidi

On Nov. 26, 2020, Kevin Patino responded to a call for backup from a police officer attempting to disperse a crowd on Main Street in Paterson, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said. Patino got into an altercation with a person getting into verbal exchange with the officer, pushing them into the street, Sellinger said. Patino then threw them to the ground and proceeded to repeatedly strike them, Sellinger said. The person did not pose a danger to Patino or anyone else, Sellinger said. Another police officer intervened and handcuffed the person while Patino struck them, Sellinger said.

On Dec. 14, Patino responded to a call about a suspicious person on Madison Avenue in Paterson, Sellinger said. Police encountered a man, Osamah Alsaidi. Police were initially driving away from the scene, but then an officer made a sharp turn toward Alsadi, who was walking down the street, and parked the vehicle, Sellinger said. Patino got out of the vehicle and struck Alsadi in the face and body several times, Sellinger said. After the other officer grabbed hold of Alsadi and brought the victim to the ground, Patino continued to repeatedly strike him, Sellinger said.

Patino faces up to two years in prison following his guilty plea for two  counts of violating an individual's civil rights when he is sentenced in July, Sellinger said. He also faces a maximum fine of $100,000, Sellinger said.

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