On March 11, 2019, Officer Kevin VanWagner attempted to arrest 12-year-old Julissa Dawkins during a confrontation. When Dawkins did not comply, VanWagner picked her up and dropped her on the ground, landing on top of her. The city settled a civil rights lawsuit related to this incident for $400,000 in July 2023. VanWagner remains employed by the Poughkeepsie Police Department and serves as the president of the Poughkeepsie PBA.
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