NYPD Officer Suspended After Doing Nothing to Help Man Being Beaten

CHELSEA, NY — A fight on a Chelsea street has landed one police officer in hot water.

Police officer Ronnie Velez has been suspended, according to the NYPD, after he failed to identify himself as an officer — and did nothing to help the victim who was being beaten.

In the video below, Velez is seen wearing a black T-shirt and dark shorts as he initially restrains the friend of Elliot Ambert, as identified by the Daily News. He then stands and watches as Ambert is held by three men, who take turns punching him in the face until he collapses on the sidewalk covered in blood. The attack happened at about 6 p.m. on Aug. 14 near Seventh Avenue and 21st Street.

Reid Koran, 34, Jeremy Gonzalez, 27, and Michael Batista, 21, were arrested and charged with gang assault, a felony, for attacking Ambert.

“He never identified himself as a police officer to me,” Ray Cordero, the friend of Ambert who was being restrained by Velez, told the Daily News. “I don’t understand how you can be an officer of the law and still let that happen.”

Velez doesn't directly take part in the attack on Ambert, and can be seen walking out of frame as the three men who were arrested continue the beatdown. Velez has not been arrested.

Photo Credit: Patch