Nationwide — Darnay Cockrell, an African American father from Mesa, Arizona, is suing the police after officers handcuffed him after he called 911 to report his 4-year-old daughter’s abduction. The incident left him injured, jobless, and without a home. He filed a federal lawsuit claiming he was treated like a criminal despite being the victim.
On August 4, 2024, Cockrell alerted police that his daughter had been taken by her mother, who had no custody and struggled with drug addiction. Bodycam audio shows Cockrell panicking and begging officers to help return his child, but police treated him like the suspect.
According to Atlanta Black Star, a neighbor recorded video of Cockrell being forced to the ground despite wearing knee braces and recently had surgery. He offered to put his hands behind his back voluntarily, but officers pushed him facedown and handcuffed him. The ordeal lasted about 30 minutes before a sergeant intervened and removed the cuffs.
The mother was later arrested, and Cockrell’s daughter was returned to him. However, the video of his detainment went viral and led to him losing his job and apartment. He also suffered back and knee injuries, along with a broken watch and necklace.
Cockrell’s lawyers say racial bias played a role, claiming officers targeted him because he is African American, tall, and physically fit. The lawsuit alleges Mesa police violated his Fourth and 14th Amendment rights and committed assault without reasonable cause.
Mesa police have said the officers did not break policy but received additional training on treating Black victims as victims, not suspects. Cockrell’s attorneys maintain that the officers should have faced stronger consequences and are still seeking the full release of bodycam footage to strengthen their case.