N.J. police officer named in $5M excessive-force lawsuit resigns

N.J. police officer named in $5M excessive-force lawsuit resigns

Anthony G. Attrino

Mon, December 8, 2025 at 7:06 PM UTC

2 min read

An Edison police officer named in a federal lawsuit over the alleged brutal beating of a Black resident two years ago has resigned, authorities said Monday.

Matthew Talavera resigned on Dec. 3, according to Edison Police Chief Thomas Bryan. No other information was released about the resignation.

The resignation comes as Talavera faces allegations in a federal civil rights lawsuit filed by Carlton R. Brathwaite of Middlesex County.

Brathwaite claims Talavera and other “unknown township officers” pushed him to the ground, struck him with a weapon and beat him during an encounter on Oct. 6, 2023.

The incident occurred about 1 a.m. as Brathwaite sat in a car speaking with his brother on Redwood Avenue, according to the suit filed Sept. 2, 2024, in U.S. District Court.

“The vehicle’s engine was turned off, and the brothers were listening to music and having a conversation. The brothers recently lost their mother and were discussing caring for their elderly stepfather,” the suit alleges.

Brathwaite alleges that Talavera and other officers not only assaulted him but also falsely arrested him.

He was charged with obstructing the administration of law, disorderly conduct, assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest, the lawsuit says.

Those charges were later dismissed in state court after prosecutors and police failed to produce body-worn camera footage, the suit states. His record was subsequently expunged.

In dismissing the case, Judge Colleen M. Flynn admonished police and prosecutors, saying their criminal claim “did not pass the smell test,” according to the lawsuit.

Brathwaite claims the incident left him with facial scarring, headaches, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, humiliation and fear. A laceration to his head required surgical staples, and he continues to experience pain, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit also alleges civil rights violations and accuses Edison and its police department of failing to investigate misconduct, maintain records of citizen complaints, and address alleged illegal behavior by officers.

Brathwaite claims Talavera and the Edison Police Department violated his civil rights, including his rights under the Fourth Amendment, which guarantees the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.

The provision also requires law enforcement to obtain a warrant based on probable cause in most situations.

Edison officials declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

About Our Ads

Source