Samuel L.

Rivers
30 Rockledge Avenue
Mount Vernon, NY 10550
t.914.760.8136
f. 360.365.6064
e. samuerivers@gmail.com

March 23, 2010

City of Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon Police Department
Internal Affairs Division
Roosevelt Square
Mount Vernon, NY 10550

On Monday, March 22nd, 2010 at approximately 6:15 P.M. I arrived at the Community Church at the
Circle for a public meeting that was advertised in the Journal News on March 22nd, 2010. Upon my
arrival I exercised my constitutionally protected right of free speech.

I was immediately approached by Kenneth Plummer who told me that I could not videotape or record
the presentation. I ignored Kenneth Plummer, as I was not taping the presentation. The presentation
had not even begun. I started to pass out fliers that I had created to members in the audience that were
present. I was approached again by a James Dickerson and Kenneth Plummer who told me that I could
not hand out literature. I ignored them and continued to pass out literature as they were doing the
same.

I informed James Dickerson that he is not to say anything to me. James Dickerson left and returned a
short while later with a gentleman. I know knew the identity of this man to be Rev. Dr. W. Elliot
Baisden. Rev. Baisden told me that I could not hand out literature in the church because it was their
meeting. (Referring to the meeting hosted by Atlantic Development). Rev. Baisden said that I can hand
out the literature at the entrance to the church at the driveway which is public property and then I can
return.

I proceeded to the location that Rev. Baisden told me that I can stand to hand out literature. I was
handing out literature and greeting visitors when James Dickerson decided to stand where I was
standing. Mr. Dickerson then began to pace back and forth up and down the street like a mad man. Mr.
Dickerson was on his phone the entire time he was pacing back and forth. Only about ten feet was
separating us. James Dickerson tried to violently attack me on Thursday, March 18th, 2010 while I was in
City Hall. Subsequently, I filed a police report. MVPD Incident #10-15431. I indicated to the detective
that interviewed me that I wanted to press charges against James Dickerson. I informed the detective
that I would be going to this meeting. The detective told me to tape record any interactions that I may
have with James Dickerson. I did just that.
I started to videotape James Dickerson because I felt uncomfortable with Mr. Dickerson standing near
me. After a few seconds, Mr. Dickerson charged me and told me not to videotape him. I was standing
on a public sidewalk so I had every right to videotape Mr. Dickerson. Mr. Dickerson swung his left arm
at me striking me on the arm and in the face. I then informed Mr. Dickerson that if he hit me again, that
I would call the police and have him arrested. I then decided not to wait. I called the MVPD right away.
When Mr. Dickerson saw that I was calling the police, he rushed away from me walking down the
driveway back to the church.

Mr. Dickerson approached an officer that was walking towards my direction. I now know the identity of
this officer to be Capt. Hastings #4. I saw Mr. Dickerson approach Capt. Hastings, speak with him briefly,
put his arm around his shoulder and slip something in Capt. Hastings pocket. After the exchange of
goods, James Dickerson said thank you to Capt. Hastings.

As Capt. Hastings came closer to me, I informed him that I was just assaulted by Mr. Dickerson, I had just
called it in to MVPD, and that I wanted him arrested. Instead of asking me if I am ok or do I require
medical attention, Capt. Hastings said that Mr. Dickerson said that I can hand out my fliers, but I cannot
come inside. I told Mr. Hastings that Mr. Dickerson does not own the church and that he does not have
the legal authority to prohibit me from entering the church. I insisted that he arrest Mr. Dickerson for
harassing me and assaulting me, but Capt. Hastings was not interested in anything I had to say. I told
him that I have the entire incident on video. Capt. Hastings was still uninterested in what I had to say. I
even told Capt. Hastings that filed a police report on Saturday for the same thing. Capt. Hastings was
still uninterested in what I had to say. Instead of listening to what I had to say, Capt. Hastings responded
“stay on the sidewalk please”.

I was in total disbelief that a sworn, high ranking officer such as Capt. Hastings would engage in such
unscrupulous behavior. I then began to realize that Capt Hasting was quite possibly on the take. Capt.
Hastings then further responded and said, “I am not going to put up with this tonight”. I was again in
shock not knowing what Capt. Hastings was talking about. Was he referring to not putting up with Mr.
Dickerson assaulting me? Or was he referring to me insisting to arrest Mr. Dickerson for harassing me?
Capt. Hastings then told me “you are not going to get anybody arrested; you can go in and file your
complaint.” I told Capt. Hastings that he hit me, I have it on videotape and you are obligated to arrest
him. Capt. Hasting responded that I am not obligated to arrest anybody. Capt. Hastings told me that he
has an officer coming to take a report. I then asked Capt. Hastings his name because I did not know it at
the time. Capt. Hasting walked away from me and ignored my repeated requests for his name.

This is the 2nd time in approximately 3 weeks that my civil rights have been violated by the MVPD. Prior
to this incident I was unlawfully removed from the law department and threatened with arrest. It is my
intention to seek federal intervention from the Department of Justice. I will ask the Department of
Justice to pursue Federal criminal civil rights charges against Capt. Hastings and any and all conspirators
under the color of law statute. I believe that the corruption within the MVPD is systematic and if
allowed to continue will threaten the public safety for the entire City of Mount Vernon. I believe politics
has a lot to do with the way things are in the MVPD. Mayor Young is obstructing justice and abusing his
power by directing the MVPD not to investigate crimes committed against me. I will also exploring the
vast amount of legal options that are available to me against the MVPD. I will no longer stand for the
injustices that I have suffered at the hands of the MVPD.

I hereby respectfully ask that Capt. Hastings be placed on modified duty until this matter is thoroughly
investigated.

The entire incident was tape recorded.

Respectfully submitted,

Samuel L. Rivers

cc: Mayor Clinton I. Young, Jr.

cc: Chief Barbara Duncan, Mount Vernon Police Department
cc: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Civil Rights Division
cc: United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights section
cc: United States Attorney, Southern District of New York
cc: Press