Haleem Johnson: Is His Death Being Covered Up by the NYPD?
‘Holding Cell Areas Have Cameras and Cell Attendants, So
It Would Be Easy to See What Happened to Him,’ Source
By Gary Glennell Toms
On April 14, Gothamist, reported that Haleem Johnson, 38, was found dead in a New York City Police Department (NYPD) holding cell. According to police, Johnson was “found unconscious and unresponsive” on April 1 in the Midtown South precinct on West 35th Street. However, Johnson’s girlfriend, who goes by the name Indigo, told the publication that officers repeatedly ignored Johnson after complaining of chest pain for several hours. She also stated that at one point the officers told her….”We’re a little busy right now,” while eating McDonald’s.
The couple was taken into custody after an alleged domestic dispute, and the NYPD has not released details about how Johnson died, which has forced family members and friends to question the actions of the department and the cause of death.
In the wake of the Gothamist report, From The G-Man spoke with a source who believes department officials, from Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell to commanding officers at the Midtown South precinct, have some explaining to do. The former NYPD representative told From The G-Man that every precinct throughout the five boroughs has state-of-the-art cameras that continuously monitor the holding cell areas. “The cameras capture everything that’s happening in the holding cells, and a D.O. or Desk Officer is always assigned to monitor the video footage,” they said. When asked what would happen if the desk officer was not on post for some reason, they stated….”The A.D.O. or Assistant Desk Officer is supposed to take over until the D.O. gets back. Someone must be on post to monitor any activity in those cells, and the department is very strict when it comes to that.”
Additionally, From The G-Man was informed that “cell attendants” are assigned to every precinct. They are police officers charged with the task of watching prisoners at all times to prevent suicides. “If a cell attendant was assigned or on post, someone at Midtown South should be able to explain what happened or may have happened to Mr. Johnson,” said the former NYPD official.
The source said they were completely baffled over the NYPD’s reluctance to answer questions or provide even a tidbit of information about what may have happened to Johnson. “It absolutely makes no sense. I understand that an investigation is being conducted, but there’s no getting around the fact that a cell attendant is in the area and the cameras are always on and always recording,” they said. “This being the case, it would be very easy to see what happened to him. If he died after suffering a medical emergency, it should be on video!”
When questioned about the possibility that video footage may not have been recorded or somehow malfunctioned and failed to capture anything that could determine exactly how Johnson died, the source strongly indicated that would create significant problems for the department, the DO and ADO at Midtown South. “If there is no video of Mr. Johnson’s holding cell, I guarantee you there will be hell to pay. Again, those cameras must be on and recording at all times. That is a rule the NYPD takes very seriously, and it will go to great lengths to make sure it’s being adhered to.”