Schenectady Resident Sues Troy for $2 Million

A Schenectady resident is suing two Troy police officers after he claims they used excessive force on him during a traffic stop.

Alphonso Dukes, who is a longtime driver for the Capital District Transportation Authority, is also seeking damages from the Troy Housing Authority and the city of Troy.

According to the lawsuit filed in federal court, Dukes was pulled over in March of 2006 for driving at dusk without headlights on. Dukes says he became suspicious when he saw the officer who stopped him was in a Troy Housing Authority vehicle, and asked the officer for identification.

Dukes and the officer started arguing, at which point, says Dukes, Officers Jason Stocklas and Matthew McLaughlin attempted to arrest Dukes.

"Dukes' head was smashed into the hood of his car, he was pepper-sprayed and was then placed into handcuffs, tearing his rotator cuff," according to a statement from Dukes' attorney Michael Conway.

Conway says Dukes has just had shoulder surgery and asked the officers not to pull his arm back, but the officers proceeded to do so, which ultimately called for another surgery.

Dukes was charged with resisting arrest, obstruction governmental administration and second-degree assault; the charges were later dismissed in Troy City Court.

During those proceedings, Officer Stocklas said that he had the authority to pull over and arrest Dukes because he was a full-time Troy city police officer who happened to be moonlighting for the Troy Housing Authority.

A spokesperson for the Mayor's office in Troy said he hadn't heard about the lawsuit.