New Haven chief named in RI lawsuit

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- A Rhode Island man who says he was beaten by police is suing for millions of dollars, and his lawsuit names New Haven Chief of Police Dean Esserman as a defendant.

A surveillance video from October 2009, resulted in Providence Police Detective Robert DeCarlo's conviction of felony assault a year and a half later in 2011.

"That's why I arrested him and turned that video over to the State's Attorney General," Chief Esserman said.

New Haven Police Chief Dean Esserman has seen this video too many times to remember. He was Providence's top cop during this case.

According to the Providence Journal, Detective Robert DeCarlo, was accused of beating Louis Mendonca, a trespassing suspect, with a flashlight, while he was handcuffed. DeCarlo said Mendonca was struggling with police, and he didn't know Mendonca was handcuffed.

DeCarlo's conviction was overturned by a judge after prosecutorial misconduct.

Now, Mendonca has filed a Superior Court civil lawsuit against the city of Providence, it's police department and a dozen of it's officers, security officers, and Esserman.

News 8 asked Esserman, "So, this is not surprising?" and he said, "No, I would've been surprised probably if I hadn't been sued."

The Providence Journal says the $7 million lawsuit 's allegations include civil rights violations, assault and battery, and false imprisonment.

Esserman said this isn't the first time he's been sued and it likely won't be the last.

"A number of times?" News 8 asked.

"A number of times, but I respect the court systems and I leave it to them, but police chiefs are used to being sued as a responsible member of the police department. Rarely is there a suit against a police department where the chief isn't named," Esserman said.

Esserman became Chief in New Haven in November 2011.