A few years ago, Syracuse PD officer Brandon Hanks became everyone’s favorite cop when a video of him joining in on a game of hoops with some kids went viral. That was two years ago and Hanks is still on the force despite his superiors accusing him of being in a gang.
The good cop decided to fight back with a lawsuit. According to what he told TMZ LIVE the $33 million suit came after the higher-ups denied Hanks a promotion to a gang violence task force.
He says the only reason he was given was an allegation, from at least one superior, that he’s a gang member who’s selling drugs.
He denies the claims, saying there’s no evidence, and also finds it bizarre he’s still working his beat. Brandon pointed out the obvious … if his bosses really thought he was up to no good, he’d be indicted.
He thinks the real issue is racism, and in his lawsuit, he accuses Syracuse PD of having a “Jim Crow culture.”
Brandon told us Syracuse PD loved him when he was getting them national attention for challenging kids to basketball games as part of a community outreach program — but, for some reason, that all changed when he tried to advance his career.
Since filing the federal lawsuit last week, Hanks says the Department suddenly changed their mind about the promotion and offered to him the job. He’ll be turning it down, however, as a sign of respect for Black cops everywhere.
