Homenews Tribune online 8/4/06.
By DEBORAH LYNN BLUMBERG
STAFF WRITER
dblumberg@thnt.com

EDISON — Michael Dotro, the township police officer accused of attacking an Asian Indian resident during a July 4 gathering, acted in self-defense, township officials said yeMayor Jun Choi and Police Chief George Mieczkowski said allegations against the officer were not sustained, according to an Internal Affairs investigation. Resident Rajnikant Parikh had accused Dotro of attacking him without provocation on July 4 at the Hilltop and Trafalger apartment complex off Oak Tree Road where several hundred people had gathered for an unscheduled fireworks celebration.

The incident and the arrest of Parikh on July 4 have sparked protests and demonstrations in the township over alleged police brutality and bias. Protesters and counterdemonstrators marched, shouted and carried signs for two hours Wednesday at the Municipal Complex.

"After an exhaustive investigation into the allegation of police brutality, we found no evidence of wrongdoing," said Choi. "The belief is the officer acted in self-defense in trying to arrest a resident."

Members of the Asian Indian community said they were not surprised by the findings.

"This is an expected result," said activist Pradip "Peter" Kothari, who lead the rally for Parikh Wednesday. "The result has upset the whole community."

Dotro was one of 12 officers called to Dayton Avenue the night of July 4 after multiple residents called in complaints about a group of 600 to 800 people — some inebriated and others setting off fireworks — gathered outside the Trafalger apartment complex. Residents did not have a permit for the display, said Choi. Dotro was the arresting officer.

"The Edison police officers showed great restraint in handling the incident," said Choi. "We believe they did their job and they did it appropriately. Regardless of anyone's background, we need to follow the law."

Officials said state attorney general guidelines on police investigations prohibit them from releasing further details on the investigation, which was initiated by Choi. Parikh never filed an official complaint against Dotro, Choi said.

Parikh was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during the Wednesday rally for a 2005 outstanding order of deportation and is being held in Newark. His wife, Julie Patel, said Parikh is not a citizen.

Kothari called the timing of the arrest poor. He was unaware of the order and said he is trying to get in touch with Parikh's immigration lawyer.

"When a victim comes to us for help, do I have to know everything he has done in the past?" Kothari said. "I just knew he was married to an American Indian and he is on adjustment of visa status."

Kothari said he will continue to press for a U.S. attorney general investigation into the incident.

Others said they were disappointed with the Edison investigation.

"I Jasal Amin of East Brunswick, who attended Wednesday's rally, said the outcome reminded him of last year, when Dotro was accused of abuse allegations stemming from the August arrest of two India Day parade volunteers. Dotro was investigated and cleared of the allegations.

"This looks like the same pattern," said Amin. "The same officer, same result — what a coincidence."

During the press conference, Choi said he condemned several comments made at Wednesday's rally. Asian Indian protesters and counterprotesters who supported the police squared off in front of the complex. Some yelled racial slurs across police lines. One counterprotester carried a sign reading: "If you act like an animal, you get treated like an animal."

In the last few weeks, officials have kicked off several initiatives to improve communications between police and community members, said Choi. Three community liaison officers — Jeff Tierney, Milan Patel and Joe Luistro — are now working with the Asian Indian community, and an Indian American representative will soon join the Blue Ribbon Commission.

"I want residents to know, if there's a legitimate complaint about an Edison police officer we will work with you," said Choi, "but it has to be credible."

Contributing: Staff Writer Ritu Jha