Fitzroy Campbell, appellant, v. County of Westchester, et al., respondents. (2011)

Submitted-December 20, 2010

DECISION & ORDER

In an action, inter alia, to recover damages for false arrest and false imprisonment, the plaintiff appeals from (1) an order of the Supreme Court, Westchester County (Smith, J.), entered October 26, 2009, which granted the motion of the defendants County of Westchester, Westchester County Police Department, Westchester County Department of Public Safety Services, and Police Officer “John” Tierney, inter alia, pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(1) to dismiss the complaint insofar as asserted against them, and (2) an order of the same court dated December 16, 2009, which granted the motion of the defendant City of Mount Vernon for summary judgment dismissing the complaint insofar as asserted against it.

ORDERED that orders are affirmed, with one bill of costs to the defendants appearing separately and filing separate briefs.

The plaintiff commenced this action against the County of Westchester and the City of Mount Vernon, among others, to recover damages for false arrest and false imprisonment, arising out of an arrest effectuated by an officer of the Westchester County Police Department.

The Supreme Court properly granted the motion of the defendants County of Westchester, Westchester County Police Department, Westchester County Department of Public Safety Services, and Police Officer “John” Tierney, inter alia, pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(1) to dismiss the complaint insofar as asserted against them.   The documentary evidence submitted by these moving defendants conclusively established that the plaintiff was arrested pursuant to a facially valid arrest warrant issued by a court having jurisdiction, thus defeating the causes of action to recover damages for false arrest and false imprisonment (see Broughton v. State of New York, 37 N.Y.2d 451, 457, cert denied sub nom.  Schanbarger v Kellogg, 423 U.S. 929;  Johnson v Kings County Dist. Attorney's Off., 308 A.D.2d 278, 286;  Russo v. Village of Port Chester, 198 A.D.2d 408;  Saunsen v. State of New York, 81 A.D.2d 252, 253).

The Supreme Court also properly granted the motion of the City of Mount Vernon for summary judgment dismissing the complaint insofar as asserted against it.   In opposition to the City's prima facie showing of entitlement to judgment as a matter of law, the plaintiff failed to raise a triable issue of fact (see Alvarez v. Prospect Hosp., 68 N.Y.2d 320, 324).

The plaintiff's remaining contentions are either without merit or not properly before this Court.

BALKIN, J.P., ENG, BELEN and LOTT, JJ., concur.

ENTER:

Matthew G. Kiernan

Clerk of the Court