2012 September
September 27, 2012:
An eight person jury in the United States District Court in White Plains, N.Y. reached a unanimous verdict on Monday, September 24, 2012, in favor of four (4) Town of Poughkeepsie Police Officers and dismissed a federal lawsuit brought by Duncan MacIsaac, 58, who resides in the Town of Poughkeepsie. This federal lawsuit alleged that Town of Poughkeepsie Police Officers used excessive force, including a TASER, when they took him into custody for driving while intoxicated on Raymond Avenue on March 1, 2008.
MacIsaac alleged that four (4) Town of Poughkeepsie Police Officers violated his constitutional rights when he was escorted in handcuffs to the police vehicle and then tased when he refused to get in. MacIsaac was then tased again when he tried to get out of the police vehicle.
The officers denied the force used was improper as MacIsaac had both spoken and turned aggressively to two of the officers after he was cuffed and then for approximately 30 seconds refused their verbal directions to get in the back seat of the car. He continued to resist when they tried to put him back into the police vehicle. He was also warned repeatedly that if he did not get in he would be tased, to which he responded ‘tase me’. Mr. MacIsaac ultimately pled guilty to DWI in Town Court.
The trial took four (4) days and the 4 male and 4 female jurors deliberated for under one (1) hour before returning their verdict in favor of the police.
Chief of Police Thomas Mauro stated ‘We are very pleased and gratified by the jury’s vindication of our Police Officers. Their actions that night were truly professional. They tried to avoid using physical force as long as possible and the force they ultimately successfully used was designed to minimize the risk of injury to Mr. MacIsaac and themselves’.
The Town of Poughkeepsie Police Officers were represented by David L. Posner of McCabe and Mack in Poughkeepsie and Mr. MacIsaac was represented by Michael Sussman of Sussman and Watkins in Goshen, N.Y.
September 24, 2012 – Robbery,weapon
On Sunday September 23, 2012 at approx. 3:00pm, the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department responded to a report of a robbery at the Super 8 Motel located at 2349 South Rd.
A subject entered the hotel from a rear door and was met by the front desk clerk in the hallway. A handgun was displayed and a struggle ensued whereupon the clerk was able to lock himself in the office. The subject then continued to the exposed front desk area and the clerk was able to escape and call 911.
The investigation at the scene indicated that there was a possibility that the subject may still be in one of the rooms of the hotel. The Town of Poughkeepsie SWAT was activated to check the building for the subject which was negative. The subject left with an undetermined amount of cash.
The subject is described as a black male, approx. 5’11 with thin build, wearing a gray colored shirt and black pants.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department at 845-485-3666 or leave a tip at TownPolice.net under Report Criminal Activity.
