NJ mall fight video sparks police use of force investigation


AP Top Stories February 15Here’s the latest for Tuesday February 15: Russian Foreign Minister urges more diplomacy; Accounting firm drops Trump Organization; Plane crash off North Carolina coast; Shot fired at Louisville candidate for Mayor.APBRIDGEWATER, N.J. — The Bridgewater Police Department called for an internal affairs investigation after a video circulated on social media showing officers’ response to a fight at a New Jersey mall over the weekend.The video shows two male teens, one Black and the other white, having an argument before pointing fingers at each other. They then begin pushing and shoving each other, a move that sends a couch sliding along the floor, and the Black teen is thrown to the floor.But it’s the police response that some, including voices heard on the video and Gov. Phil Murphy, are questioning as racially motivated.As the police arrive a female and male officer grab the white teen off the Black teen. The white teen is placed onto the couch while the male officer tackles the Black teen to the ground, straddles his back and crosses his hands to handcuff him while the female officer appears to have her knee on his back. The video shows no sign of resistance from the Black teen. “It’s cause he’s Black, racially motivated,” a female voice is heard saying in the video.As the Black teen is being handcuffed on the ground, the white teen is seen standing up looking at the officers before the female officer sits him back on the couch as the Black teen is lifted off the ground by the male officer. The video cuts off at this point.Although an investigation is still gathering the facts about this incident, I’m deeply disturbed by what appears to be racially disparate treatment in this video. We’re committed to increasing trust between law enforcement and the people they serve. https://t.co/ck9yCXMmL0— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) February 16, 2022In a Facebook post Monday, the Bridgewater Police Department said it was aware of the video.”We recognize that this video has made members of our community upset and are calling for an internal affairs investigation. The officers were able to respond quickly to this incident and stop it from escalating because of a tip we received from the community,” the post reads. “We have requested that the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office assist us in this matter and are requesting patience as we strictly adhere to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Internal Affairs Directive.” California: San Francisco police used rape kit DNA to arrest victim; police investigating claimIndiana: Purdue cop on leave after video shows him pinning Black student to the ground during arrestThe post goes on to state that police have received videos from community members .”The men and women of the Bridgewater Township Police Department are thankful for our community partners and look forward to continuing to build our positive relationships,” the post continued.The police department’s post generated more than 200 comments, some questioning why both teens weren’t restrained, or if the fight could have been broken up without the use of handcuffs.Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem.

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