NYPD detectives had no body cameras during violent arrest, used WhatsApp to communicate

Added: 2026-05-05

[00:00:00]New video of a violent mistaken identity arrest in Brooklyn raising questions about some NYPD practices. Welcome back to the 5:00 news. I'm Steve Lacy. And I'm Natasha Verma. And in this new video, you can hear a detective complaining about having to use WhatsApp to communicate instead of radios.

[00:00:16]>> Fox 5's Linda Schmidt obtained this video and has been looking into it. What did you find out? This is raising a lot of questions.

[00:00:22]>> raising a lot of questions. And you know, several things as we all know went wrong last week. First of all, police had the wrong man. It was a case of mistaken identity. Now, the arresting detectives were not wearing body cameras, either, which are mandatory.

[00:00:35]And they did not have radios to call for help. They had to rely on WhatsApp. You know the app, WhatsApp. And there were problems with that. You were about to see that. Well, I have obtained some additional video showing one of those detectives complaining about not having the proper equipment last week. Also in that video, we are showing for the first time Timothy Brown's injuries. You will see his face. He is the man who was beaten, and we just want to let you know here, it is hard to watch.

[00:01:03]The cell phone video showing two narcotics detectives from Brooklyn North repeatedly punching and then one of them kicking Timothy Brown last week has sparked outrage and a slew of questions.

[00:01:15]The detectives thought Mr. Brown was part of a drug deal because he matched the description of a suspect. However, this was a case of mistaken identity.

[00:01:25]Police had the wrong man. And now, Fox 5 has obtained this video recorded by a witness showing the injuries Mr. Brown sustained to his face and body.

[00:01:37]After dragging Brown to the front door of the liquor store, you can see one of the detectives texting and then dialing his phone trying to get police back up.

[00:01:47]He was attempting to use WhatsApp to get help, but it appears he could not reach anyone. That same detective is seen later on this video taken by a witness outside the liquor store. The detective is angry and venting that none of the detectives on the team had radios. If any of these guys don't get a radio ASAP, I'm making a big We're not doing this WhatsApp We're not doing this WhatsApp He then goes on to say It's time these guys coming to work unprepared.

[00:02:20]No one does anything. If this had been the right guy and he had a firearm on him, they would have to use WhatsApp to call for back up. That's insane. Tariq Sheppard is a retired NYPD deputy commissioner. He says undercover narcotics detectives put their lives on the line. It is dangerous work, and they need the proper equipment, bulletproof vests, tasers, and radios. You should have a radio on you to get help when you need it. And as you see, that was a problem here. It took so long for them to find where their guys were and be able to communicate. If any of these guys don't get a radio ASAP, I'm making a big We're not doing this WhatsApp We're not doing this WhatsApp It's time these guys coming to work unprepared.

[00:03:06]No one does anything. Last week, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced these two detectives have been placed on modified duty, stripped of their guns and badges. The NYPD's policy requires narcotics detectives who are making arrests to wear body cameras. That did not happen in this case.

[00:03:26]>> [snorts] >> The NYPD's Internal Affairs Bureau is investigating how this entire incident was handled. In addition, the Chief of Department is conducting a 90-day review of the department's entire narcotics division and the use of WhatsApp. Quote, "The entire incident, including the use of equipment, is under internal review."

[00:03:50]Now, along with the two investigations that are now underway, the two detectives have been placed on modified duty as well as their sergeant and six additional detectives with Brooklyn North Narcotics. They have been transferred to other precincts along with the lieutenant and the captain who oversaw that unit. Yes, wild video. You can hear it clear as day what these cops are having to deal with.

[00:04:11]>> And the frustration you can hear in his voice. Yeah, the expletives he's dropped. Why are some cops using WhatsApp? Well, it's for the same reason everybody uses WhatsApp, right? They want their communications to remain private. But as one of the law enforcement folks that I interviewed there and many others who I've spoken to, you know, off camera, who were not part of this story, they're all saying the same thing. Using WhatsApp as a tool, it can be a secondary tool. But when you're doing the type of work that these people are doing and they're putting their lives on the line and someone that they're dealing with could have a gun, you need a radio. That needs to be your primary tool. And then if you need to use WhatsApp, you can use that as a secondary tool.

[00:04:50]>> Yeah, concerns about sidestepping accountability, too, I'm sure. All right, we appreciate it. Thanks, Linda.