Three Connecticut cops were put on administrative leave
after an incriminating video of them beating up a suspect was released online
by an anonymous user. Veterans of the Bridgeport Police Department – Elson
Morales, Joseph Lawlor and Clive Higgins were caught on tape kicking and
stomping on a man previously incapacitated with a stun gun.
A shaky video that goes in and out of focus captures the
moment the suspect is shot with the stun gun and knocked to the ground
paralyzed. One of the officers exclaims “Nice shot!” and walks over to the
fallen man, kicking him as the other cop is standing by.
He quickly joins in and they go on kicking and stomping on
the helpless suspect. Sirens can be heard in the background as another patrol
car is arriving to the scene, and the third officer uses the chance to join his
coworkers and land a couple of kicks himself just before the backup arrives.
There were a couple of witnesses observing the brutal
beating, but that didn’t keep the cops from acting the way they did. President
of the Greater Bridgeport branch of the NAACP, Carolyn Vermont, described the
cops’ behavior as “totally unacceptable”.
“No person should be treated as an animal, no matter what
they are charged with”, she said.
Police Chief Joseph Gaudett Jr. refused to reveal the name of
the suspect or the charges against him, but it was confirmed that he is
currently serving prison time.
The victim didn’t file a charge against the three cops but
Chief Gaudett assures the public they’re currently on leave and under
investigation.