2 Suffolk Officers Suspended After Kicking Man: Commissioner

PORT JEFFERSON STATION, NY — Two Suffolk County police officers were suspended without pay after footage on a police-worn body camera showed them pushing and kicking a man they arrested in connection with a February vehicle theft in Port Jefferson Station, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart and Executive Steve Bellone announced Tuesday.

Three other officers and a supervisor were placed on modified duty after Hart said they did not intervene.

"What I saw was disturbing, unacceptable, and something that cannot be condoned, and not something that I expect from the officers in this department," Bellone told reporters.

Christopher Cruz, 30, who is homeless, stole a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee from a home at 11:40 p.m. Feb. 23, police said. Cruz rammed the Jeep into a police vehicle, injuring an officer, and then drove off, police said.

A chase ensued, and Cruz lost control of the Jeep and crashed into a snowbank in Mount Sinai, police said. Cruz rammed the Jeep into a second police car before hitting another snowbank and coming to a stop at 12:15 a.m. Feb. 24, police said. Another officer was injured as Cruz was being taken into custody, police said.

While Cruz was standing up and handcuffed, a Sixth Precinct police officer pushed Cruz forward from behind and kicked the back of his leg, body camera footage showed, Hart said. The officer who pushed Cruz, and one other officer, kicked Cruz multiple times while he was on the ground, Hart said. Three police officers and a supervisor also responded, but they did not stop the two who were kicking Cruz, Hart said.

Cruz declined medical treatment at a local hospital, Hart said.

"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," Hart said. "We have taken swift action against these six officers, and the investigation is ongoing into who else may have been involved."

Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini's opened a criminal investigation into the attack, officials said.

"If we are to continue to build trust with all of our communities, we have to be transparent, and we have to hold our officers to the highest standards," Hart said. "I will be the first to praise them, but I will also be the first to ensure that they are held accountable when they do not uphold our mission to serve and protect."

Hart reviewed the body camera footage on Monday, and the officers were suspended on Tuesday, she said.

"I know people will be rightfully angry and disappointed, and I can tell you that I am too," Hart said. "This type of behavior can not and will not be tolerated. And while I want to say 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. I expect our officers to act with respect and restraint. If you witness misconduct by a fellow officer, you are obligated to stop it. I want to assure that this matter is being taken very seriously."

Bellone said the county has been talking about comprehensive police reform, and that a big part of the discussion is body cameras.

"This video, and what we're talking about here tonight, is a stark example of why those are so vital and important," Bellone said. "I can tell you that I will not move forward and present a police reform plan that does not include body cameras for the police department."

Cruz is currently out on supervised release, Hart said. He was charged with third-degree grand larceny, second-degree assault, third-degree criminal mischief and resisting arrest.