Man Files Lawsuit Against Suffolk Police Claiming Excessive Force

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — An Oakdale man filed a lawsuit against Suffolk County Police claiming an officer allegedly used excessive force during an investigation for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. According to the lawsuit, 52-year-old Craig Costello claims the officer used an electric taser despite the fact that Costello was "unarmed" and "non-violent." During the incident in January, which was caught on video, the officer approached Costello in the driveway of his brother’s home in West Islip as the officer investigated him.

He says the officer kicked him and pointed a gun, according to the lawsuit. Then the officer shot him with the taser even though Costello had not used any physical force against the officer at all, according to the lawsuit. This caused Costello to crumble onto the concrete where he began screaming and convulsing.

"Even if force were needed, which it was not, the degree of force against Plaintiff was grossly excessive—including the administration of a taser gun against the Plaintiff, causing him to fall to the ground in agony," the lawsuit reads.

As a result, Costello is seeking both compensatory and punitive damages as well attorney fees.

The Suffolk County Police Department told Patch it does not comment on pending litigation.