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New Haven police officer fired for excessive use of force

Body camera video shows the officer punching a handcuffed suspect in the face and kicking him on the ground.

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — A police officer was fired Tuesday for an incident where he used excessive force against a man who was handcuffed. The New Haven Police Commission voted 4-2 to terminate officer Jason Santiago. 

"Injustice even at the hands of police is injustice," said Chief Reyes. 

Chief Reyes called officer Santiago's actions inconsistent with department standards and put officers at risk. Santiago had responded to a call for backup during an altercation with 35-year-old Luis Rivera. Body camera footage showed Officer Santiago punch Rivera in the face after he spits in his mouth. Once on the ground, Santiago kicked the man in the groin and pulled him up by his braids.

"I am remorseful and it does not describe who I am as a person," said Santiago. 

Santiago spoke on his own behalf. He noted not a single blemish during his eight-years of service. He detailed heroic moments when he and another officer saved 30 people from a burning building and another incident this month where he pulled a man from a burning car.

"I am accountable and I regret that split-second decision that put us all in this moment that we are in right now," said Santiago. 

The vote to terminate Santiago noted his loss of community trust. They said they couldn’t afford to wait for another instance like this to happen again

"If it does, will it be more serious? Will it result in bodily harm of someone or death," asked Cathleen Simpson, the Director of Labor Relations. 

Protesters called for Santiago’s job on the steps of City Hall Monday afternoon. They say his job was only brought up because of public outcry.

"But what about the other criminals who are still working for the police department," asked John Lugo of Black and Brown United in Action.

Protesters used this incident as another example for the need to reform the police. They said it is necessary to have professional mental health workers on staff to assist first responders to prevent more headlines like this one. 

WARNING: The raw body camera video below contains graphic profanity and blood.

Mayor Justin Elicker released a statement on the termination, saying he was happy with the outcome: 

I am pleased with the Board of Police Commissioner’s decision tonight. These are difficult decisions to make. I understand Officer Santiago had a good record as a New Haven Police Officer. Even so, we must have a high standard for officer conduct in the New Haven Police Department and ensure officers do not use unnecessary force. Officer Santiago’s actions, punching an individual while the individual was in handcuffs, is clearly an action that goes well beyond what is appropriate conduct. This type of behavior is not acceptable and should have significant consequences. Though we all expect there will not be conduct like this from our officers, it is crucial that when they happen, we hold the officers in question to the highest standard of excellence. Behaviors such as the action of Officer Santiago during this incident undermine the hardworking New Haven Police Officers that pride themselves in maintaining a good relationship with our community and keeping them safe.

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