Honor student suing NYPD for racial profiling, false arrest

Honor student Brittany Rowley, didn’t think she would end up handcuffed in a police station.

Of course this is not the first case of racial profiling, and it sure won’t be the last. I want to shed some light on a subject that many do not want to talk about.

Racial profiling. Yes it still happens and if you don’t speak up, it will continue to.

As an African American female, I have seen my fair share of intolerable profiling by police officers.

I myself, was racially profiled while in New York City. I quickly put the officers in their place once they learned they were bothering the wrong one.

Last year alone, there have been over 100,000 people of color who have been stopped and frisked, and no arrests made. Which goes to show, racial profiling is still alive and well.

Honor student Brittany Rowley didn’t think she would end up handcuffed in a police station. The 15-year-old, who attends an all girl Catholic school, said her experience with the police was terrifying.

“It was terrifying,” she told the New York Daily News. “It is the most horrible thing I have ever experienced.”

The incident began when Rowley was stopped by authorities because she allegedly matched the description of a shoplifter.

After receiving a call of two Black teens, one with a ponytail, were wanted for stealing from a Park Slope clothing store, officers spotted Rowley and her friend walking nearby.

Rowley’s braided ponytail apparently tipped them off and they pursued the girls.

Rowley said the car suddenly reversed and a male yelled, “Get them!” The cops claim they said, “Excuse me ladies,” with their badges out.

Rowley and her friend ran. “I thought we were being abducted,” Rowley said.

Catanzaro tackled Rowley and threw her to the ground. He threw his keys, she said, hitting her leg. She recalled him saying, “Why did you f—— run? I should punch you.”

She claims Catanzaro yanked her up, whipsawing her neck. She says police also snapped on cuffs, causing bruises. Her friend returned and was collared too.

An NYPD official insists the incident was good police work, noting that Catanzaro obtained surveillance tape from the clothing boutique that exonerated Rowley, even after the store manager identified her as the suspect.

“But for him viewing the videotape, the young lady would still be in custody,” said Inspector Kim Royster, an NYPD spokeswoman.

Rowley spent three hours in the police station until they realized she didn’t commit a crime.

Her father has filed a 5.5 million lawsuit against city and Sgt. Jonathan Catanzaro and Officer Stephen Nakao of the 78th Precinct, stating his daughter was racially profiled.

The court papers allege false arrest and excessive force, including that the sergeant slammed the honor student to the pavement and flung his keys at her.

“I feel my daughter was racially profiled,” Delmus Rowley said.

“They had no proof, just a description of a black young lady with braids,” he added. “It wasn’t necessary to tackle a 15-year-old girl. It was excessive.”

Although many Black people can tell stories of being racially profiled, I am glad this young woman is taking a stance and will not tolerate it.

Sometimes we may become fearful of what may happen if we do file a report.

You have the right to file a complaint against an officer if you feel you were profiled.

I can honestly say, if you don’t try, your voice doesn’t have a chance to be heard.