Crime & Justice
Clifton police defend officer shown in video punching teenager
Clifton police are defending an officer who used force by punching a teenager in the face after trying to break an after school fight.
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, but he gets up and runs at the officer and appears to slap him across the face and 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.
----------------------------------------------------------
Connect with Unheard Voices on X, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube
Download the app on Google Play or ITunes.
----------------------------------------------------------
Unheard Voices Magazine is a news reporting platform covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
-
News1 week ago
South Carolina veteran dies on his birthday while saving 13-year-old boy from drowning
-
Black And Missing1 week ago
Update: The body of missing Ohio 13-year-old has been found; her father charged for her murder
-
Crime & Justice2 weeks ago
Twin brothers miss their flight to Boston, later found dead in Georgia mountains
-
Crime & Justice3 days ago
Authorities release cause of death for Kei’Mani Latigue
-
Health & Wellness2 weeks ago
21-year-old man becomes first in New York to be cured of sickle cell anemia
-
Education1 week ago
Teacher ordered to remove inclusive signs from classroom; GoFundMe raises more than $15k to support diversity and inclusion
-
In Memoriam6 days ago
Brothers from New Jersey killed in Philadelphia highway crash
-
Culture4 weeks ago
Altadena family spanning generations lost 20 homes in Los Angeles wildfires