Haverstraw officer disciplined after video shows force used on teen
The incident took place shortly after the town’s Dominican Day Parade, and witnesses told News 12 they were alarmed by how quickly the encounter escalated and questioned the level of force used.
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A Haverstraw police officer seen on video grabbing and shoving a teen by the neck over the summer has been disciplined following an internal investigation, Haverstraw Police Chief John Gould said Wednesday.
Surveillance video from August outside the Central Market La Bodega on Broadway shows the teen on his bicycle speaking with several officers when one officer appears to walk over, grab him by the neck and shove him into the storefront window.
The incident took place shortly after the town’s Dominican Day Parade, and witnesses told News 12 they were alarmed by how quickly the encounter escalated and questioned the level of force used.
News 12 interviewed the teen when the video first surfaced. He said he was asking police why they were being told to leave the area when the encounter escalated.
Authorities said at the time that police were clearing the area following the parade because of numerous violations reported that evening, including disorderly conduct and local ordinance violations.
The teen was charged with disorderly conduct during the incident and issued an appearance ticket.
Gould says the department cannot release full details of the disciplinary action because it is a personnel matter, but confirmed discipline was issued. He also says the department has since retrained all officers on arrest techniques and tactics.
It is unclear whether the officer is on active duty. The department has not released the officer’s status and says it will not be commenting further.
