A New Jersey man has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that he was violently assaulted by police officers outside a bar after complying with their instructions. The disturbing accusation includes claims that officers placed a bag over his head and punched him repeatedly, despite his cooperation.
The incident allegedly took place in May 2022, in Paterson, New Jersey, and has sparked renewed debate over police conduct and the excessive use of force. The man, identified as Darnell Morrison, says he was leaving a bar near downtown Paterson when officers from the Paterson Police Department approached him and asked him to move his vehicle.
According to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court, Morrison claims that after he complied and moved his car, he was followed by police officers, forcibly removed from his vehicle, and beaten by at least four officers. The suit states that during the assault, one officer placed a bag over Morrison’s head while another punched him multiple times.
Morrison says the attack left him bloodied and confused. Photos included in the court documents show Morrison with a swollen eye and visible bruises. He was reportedly hospitalized after the incident.
“I did everything they asked me to do,” Morrison said in a public statement. “But they still treated me like I was a threat.”
The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages, names the City of Paterson, the Paterson Police Department, and multiple unnamed officers as defendants. It alleges violations of Morrison’s civil rights, including unlawful search and seizure, excessive force, and failure to intervene.
A Pattern of Force?
Paterson’s police department has faced mounting scrutiny in recent years. In March 2023, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office took over control of the department after multiple incidents involving police violence and internal corruption.
According to the lawsuit, Morrison was not charged with any crimes related to the encounter. His legal team argues that the absence of any official charges is further proof that the use of force was unjustified and retaliatory.
This isn’t the first time Paterson’s police have been in the spotlight. In 2022, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General opened investigations into several use-of-force incidents involving Paterson officers, some of which resulted in civil settlements. Morrison’s attorneys say his case is emblematic of broader systemic issues.
“We believe Mr. Morrison’s treatment reflects a deeply rooted culture of abuse within the Paterson Police Department,” said his attorney, Jamie Long. “He was targeted, humiliated, and assaulted — all without cause.”
No Official Comment Yet
As of this writing, neither the City of Paterson nor the Paterson Police Department has issued an official comment on the lawsuit. A spokesperson for the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office declined to comment on ongoing litigation but acknowledged the state’s continuing oversight of the Paterson Police Department.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, police departments across the country have collectively paid out over $2.3 billion in misconduct settlements since 2015. New Jersey cities like Newark and Paterson have made up a significant share of those costs.
Federal Oversight and Civil Rights
Morrison’s complaint raises questions about how police officers are held accountable when incidents involve excessive force. Under Section 1983 of the U.S. Code, citizens can sue state or local officials, including police, for violations of civil rights. This federal provision is often used in cases like Morrison’s to seek justice beyond internal police investigations.
The U.S. Department of Justice also provides guidelines and statistics related to civil rights violations and policing. You can read more about police misconduct accountability via the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and track civil settlement cases through the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
While the outcome of Morrison’s lawsuit remains to be seen, the case continues to draw attention to the need for increased transparency and accountability in local policing—especially in communities where trust has been deeply shaken by repeated allegations of abuse.
