Jose LaSalle’s Fight Against Police Corruption Pays Off
In a stunning victory for police accountability, activist Jose LaSalle has secured an $860,000 settlement from the City of New York and the NYPD after officers allegedly attempted to frame him. LaSalle, who has dedicated years to recording police misconduct in the South Bronx, was falsely arrested in 2016 after capturing NYPD officers stopping and frisking two men.
A secret recording from inside the PSA 7 stationhouse reveals officers mocking and celebrating his arrest, even joking about fabricating felony charges. His legal battle didn’t stop there—LaSalle also secured an additional $65,000 settlement for a separate wrongful arrest by 46th Precinct officers, bringing his total payout to $925,000.
Caught on Tape: “It’s a Party, It’s a Party!”
Jose LaSalle, who founded the South Bronx Copwatch Patrol Unit, has been recording police encounters since 2011, years before body cameras became standard. His own audio recordings ultimately saved him from a wrongful conviction.
“Lucky for me that I was able to record all of this,” LaSalle told NY1. “I think I would have been doing a bid upstate right now without the audio.”
The leaked audio recording captured NYPD officers celebrating his arrest:
🔊 “Oh, Jose LaSalle! Oh sh#@!
🔊 Now for him, filming is a crime, right?”
🔊 “It’s a party, it’s a party, hey!”
Instead of facing fabricated charges, LaSalle walked free, but officers arrested him again just hours later for recording police a second time. Eventually, all charges were dropped by the Bronx District Attorney, exposing what LaSalle’s lawyer calls a coordinated effort to silence a known activist.
A Dark Stain on the NYPD
According to LaSalle’s attorney, Jeffrey Emdin, the hefty settlement reflects the seriousness of the allegations.
“This is a dark stain on the NYPD, and it reaches to very high levels up the chain. They were trying to frame Mr. LaSalle for crimes he didn’t commit.”
Despite the evidence, none of the involved officers faced criminal charges or internal discipline. The NYPD and city officials refused to comment on the settlement or the disturbing details revealed in the recording.
The Fight Continues: “They Hate Me for Filming”
For LaSalle, this settlement is not the end of the battle. He believes many officers see him as a direct threat for exposing police misconduct.
“They hate me for videotaping them,” he said.
But that hasn’t stopped him. The Copwatch Patrol Unit continues its work, legally recording police actions to hold law enforcement accountable.
LaSalle now plans to urge the U.S. Justice Department to investigate the NYPD for its handling of the case, demanding real accountability for officers who engage in misconduct.
What This Means for Police Accountability
This case highlights ongoing issues within law enforcement, particularly concerning retaliation against activists and efforts to suppress police oversight. While the financial settlement is a win, it does not ensure systemic change within the NYPD.
For activists like LaSalle, the message is clear: Keep filming. Keep exposing. Keep fighting.
