Ernest Crutchfield II

Deadly force

According to a lawsuit, officer William "Robocop" Melendez and other officers raided the home of Ernest Crutchfield II without a warrant, then shot and killed him. The lawsuit was eventually settled by Detroit for $50,000. Melendez was indicted along with 16 fellow Detroit police officers in 2003 stemming from claims they planted evidence, falsified reports and stole cash and property from people said were suspects. A jury acquitted the officers in that case. In July 2011, working for Inkster, Melendez and seven other officers reportedly choked and beat DeShawn Acklin. In January 2015, Melendez put Floyd Dent in a chokehold and punched him 16 times before allegedly planting cocaine in Dent's car. The charges against Dent were dismissed and Melendez was fired, charged and convicted of assault with intent to cause great bodily harm in November 2015. The city settled a lawsuit with Dent for $1.4 million. Melendez was released from prison in January 2017.