Caught on video: a Bronx UPS driver claims he was beat by a police officer from the 49th Precinct. Witnesses agree, but the NYPD says the man was disorderly and injured the officer. NY1 Criminal Justice Reporter Dean Meminger exclusively has the story.

UPS worker Oscar Francois says he has bruises on his head and ear, seen in the video above, as a result of a Bronx police officer punching him and slamming his head into the floor of his delivery truck Monday.

"He started punching me in my face, if you can see my face," Francois said. "I got lumps all over my head. You can't see it because of my hair."

Speaking exclusively to NY1, Francois says the incident on Cruger Avenue began when he told officers he needed to make deliveries, and asked why they were blocking traffic.

Francois said he was impatient with them, but not threatening.

"I just wanted to know if it was serious, should I back out, should I go another way?" Francois said. "But they were just talking with one another on some cop stuff, pulled up on each other, just talking, talking, talking, talking, and they're blocking traffic."

Police say they had stopped another car on the block when Francois approached them. They say they ordered him to get back in his truck, but he refused.

Francois says an officer also demanded to see his driver's license, and asked for his supervisor's name. He says he didn't comply because he felt he didn't do anything illegal.

"I slammed the door; he catches it," Francois said. "He said that I slammed it on his fingers — which is not possible — but I slammed the door, he catches it, then he just grabbed me by the neck."

Francois says that's when they started to tussle inside the truck.

Several people on the block recorded the incident and contacted NY1, saying they believed the police officer was abusive.

They didn't want to go on camera because they say they've had their own run-ins with police.

"I'm a working dude, I don't have many problems with cops at all," Francois said. "But for that to happen to me was like a dream."

Francois was charged with resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer. A judge released him without bail, but told him he has to show police officers respect and that he must return to court in a few weeks.



UPS and the NYPD are investigating.