RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Raleigh Police Department is once again being accused of using excessive force.

• Rashon McNeil says he was thrown to the ground and arrested by RPD
• He says they didn't give him a chance to identify himself
• RPD hasn't commented

On Dec. 1, 2016, then 24-year-old Rashon McNeil says he was walking on Martin Street when he was approached by two Raleigh police officers.

McNeil says the officers believed he was a suspect they were looking for named Lamar, but they never asked McNeil to identify himself.

Instead, McNeil says he was thrown to the ground and arrested.

Those charges were later dropped, but advocacy groups have filed a federal complaint with the Department of Justice against the Raleigh Police Department.

"I want the officers to be held accountable for their actions, because they still walking around with this badge. And they assume that it's OK for them to unlawfully go around and pick and choose who they want to single out today," said McNeil.

RPD has not yet responded to request for comment.