Video: NAACP Accuses N.Y. Cop of Planting Evidence

A Utica (N.Y.) Police officer has come under scrutiny from the NAACP, after a dash-cam video snippet of a traffic stop appeared online. A local official has accused the officer of planting evidence.

M News Utica Evidence

VIDEO: Utica Cop's Evidence Handling

A Utica (N.Y.) Police officer has come under scrutiny from the NAACP, after a dash-cam video snippet of a traffic stop appeared online.

Venice Ervin, chairman of the Legal Redress Committee of the NAACP in Utica and Oneida County, told the Utica Observer-Dispatch that he's convinced the footage caught the officer in the act of planting evidence.

The snippet, which runs 1 minute and 40 seconds, was taken from a February 2011 traffic stop. It shows Officer Paul Paladino pulling a full, clear plastic baggie from his pocket before leaning into a stopped vehicle. Paladino then walks away from the vehicle with similar-looking baggies in his hand.

Chief Mark Williams has released the entire 30-minute recording to show all of the circumstances surrounding an incident in which he believes no wrong occurred. To view the full 30-minute video of the stop, click here.

About the Author