Former NYPD Cop Convicted for Punching Man During 911 Call

A former NYPD sergeant has been convicted for punching a man multiple times during a 911 call. Christian Zapata, 37, was found guilty of attempted assault but won't serve any additional jail time. The incident happened in December 2022 when Zapata allegedly punched Jerome Collins, who had asked officers to wear face masks. The confrontation escalated quickly, with Zapata striking Collins 13 times in less than nine seconds. Officers had been called to Collins' home because his girlfriend couldn't calm down her autistic 15-year-old son. When Collins asked the officers to wear masks, tensions rose. Zapata warned Collins he'd be arrested for interfering, and a scuffle broke out. While one officer held Collins' wrists, Zapata punched him repeatedly. Collins' girlfriend and child witnessed the incident, with the child crying in the background. Initially, Collins was charged with resisting arrest and obstruction of justice, but these charges were later dropped. Zapata was sentenced to time served and resigned from the NYPD in January. The Manhattan DA, Alvin Bragg, emphasized the importance of holding law enforcement accountable for breaking the law to maintain public trust and safety.