Clifton police defend officer shown in video punching teenager

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Clifton, NJ – Clifton police are defending an officer who used force by punching a teenager in the face after trying to break an after school fight.

The footage shows the teen going at it with a Clifton police officer in a video went viral on Youtube.

First he’s pushed to the ground. He then gets up, runs at the officer and appears to slap him across the face. An all out altercation breaks out.

15-year-old, Alex Cruz said he was trying to break up a fight between his girlfriend and another girl when he was hit by the police officer.

“He pushed me and hit me and the other cop came and choked me,” said Cruz.

Police say a review of the incident suggest the officer acted appropriately and within the limits of the law to protect himself and those around him. Detective Sgt. Robert Bracken who spoke with The Record, also stated the officer would have been allowed to use a baton or pepper spray to subdue the teen.

“Officers are justified to use a level of force necessary to overcome the force being exhibited by a suspect,” Bracken told the Record. “Whatever force is being used, officers are allowed to use one level of force higher.”

Bracken also said 30 seconds before the video starts, the teen tried to intervene in the fight despite officers trying to push him away.

View the video on Youtube.