Two Suffolk County police officers were suspended without pay after they were caught on camera allegedly beating a handcuffed suspect following a police chase last week, officials said Tuesday.
Investigators were reviewing footage of an arrest from an officer’s body camera when they discovered evidence of the alleged police brutality, officials said. Three other officers and a police supervisor who were present but did not intervene or report the incident were placed on modified duty, officials said. Police also referred the incident to prosecutors, who are investigating amid a continuing internal affairs probe.
“The actions of these two officers are concerning and what is equally unacceptable is the number of officers who did not intervene, which is a direct violation of our rules and procedures,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart told reporters during a news conference Tuesday. Noting that others may have been involved, she added: “Additional action could be forthcoming.”
Police have said Christopher Cruz, a 30-year-old homeless man, stole a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee from the driveway of a Port Jefferson Station home at 11:40 p.m. on Feb. 24 and officers found him in Coram 25 minutes later, when he allegedly rammed the Jeep into a police car and fled the scene. He later crashed into a snow bank in Mount Sinai, rammed the Jeep into a second police vehicle, then tied to flee again before crashing into another snow bank, when he was taken into custody, police said.
“While Cruz was standing up and handcuffed, a 6th precinct police officer pushed the arrestee forward from behind and kicked the back of his leg,” Hart said. “The officer who initially pushed Cruz and one other officer kicked Cruz multiple times while he was on the ground.”
Police said two officers were injured during the chase and arrest. Both the officers and the suspect were treated for minor injuries at a local hospital. Cruz has pleaded not guilty to grand larceny, assault, criminal mischief, and resisting arrest.
“I know people will be rightfully angry and disappointed and I can tell you that I am too,” Hart said. “This type of behavior cannot and will not be tolerated … This incident is not reflective of the vast majority of our members. Let this be a message to the rank and file that we must do better.”
Both Hart and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone called the incident disturbing, but neither released the names of the officers involved.
“What I saw was disturbing, unacceptable, and something cannot be condoned and not something that I expect from the officers in this department,” Bellone said.
The county executive said the incident highlights the need for more body cameras for police officers, especially amid the ongoing New York State-mandated police reform studies happening in departments statewide in response to high-profile cases of misconduct.
“This video and what we’re talking about here tonight is a stark example of why those are so vital and important,” he said. “I will not move forward and present a police reform plan that does not include body cameras for the police department.”
Former Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke was released from federal prison after pleading guilty to beating another handcuffed suspect in 2012 and orchestrating a coverup that also resulted in the conviction of former Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota and Spota’s former top deputy. Several unnamed officers also pleaded guilty in that case.
