Fired After Brutal Arrest Video Surfaces, 'Robocop' Moonlights for Nearby PD

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A fired Inkster cop who has been named in a dozen lawsuits since 1996 questioning his fitness as a police officer has reportedly been moonlighting for the Highland Park Police Department for about two years.

Highland Park City Attorney Todd Perkins confirmed to WJBK-TV that William “Robocop” Melendez has been a part-time officer for the nearby city’s police department “for some time.”

Melendez was fired last week from his full-time Inkster police officer job after a damning dash-camera video allegedly showing him repeatedly kicking and punching Floyd Dent, 57, surfaced during Dent’s felony drug trial.

On Wednesday, a Wayne County Circuit Court judged ordered the city of Inkster to turn over the full 15-minute video showing Dent’s arrest. Dent’s lawyers claim it will show Melendez planted the cocaine that led to the felony charge against Dent, whose trial resumes April 29.

The portion of the video that has been released sparked national outrage, drawing comparisons to the beating of Rodney King. The controversial arrest occurred in January, when Melendez was embroiled in his own legal troubles as a defendant in a federal civil rights lawsuit accusing him of extreme brutality.

READ THE FULL BACK STORY: ‘Robocop’ – Accused of Severely Beating Black Man in Traffic Stop – Has Notorious History

Perkins told WJBK that Melendez was hired on a part-time basis about two years ago, long before the graphic video surfaced. The city has no reason to fire the embattled officer because “he hasn’t been proven guilty of anything,” Perkins said.

Melendez had been assigned to patrol, but is now on desk duty for Highland Park, according to the report.

One of Dent’s attorneys, Greg Rohl, told WJBK he hopes Highland Park has adequate liability coverage.

“I wonder what kind of insurance policy they have at Highland Park that would allow Robocop to go rogue again there,” he said. “I am very concerned, I think everyone would be concerned. He’s already been fired from Detroit, fired from Inkster and both times because of egregious conduct.”

The Michigan State Police and FBI are continuing their investigations into Melendez’s conduct in Inkster.