Bridgeport Police Officers Under Investigation For Putting Unruly Suspect In Chokehold

Bridgeport police say there is an active administration investigation into the actions of several officers involved in the arrest of a suspect in the city.

Bridgeport police released body cam video Monday in response to another video that showed officers restraining a Black suspect while bystanders protested the way he was being treated.

The person recording the viral video is heard telling police he can see an arm beneath the neck of the man and tells them to stop "choking him."
The Bridgeport Police Department says this video represents the "last" minute of an incident that stretched out over a long period of time.

Body cam video shows both the officer and someone who apparently knows him, repeatedly asking the man to calm down, relax and get into the car.

The video starts with officers bringing the suspect from the sidewalk to the squad car in handcuffs.

An officer and someone who apparently knows the suspect repeatedly ask the suspect to get into the car, but he refuses.

Video from inside the squad car shows the suspect kicking the officers.
He eventually moves to the other side of the backseat, and that's when the video that's been circulating on social media begins.

At the end, at least one of the officers appears to be suffering from the effects of pepper spray.

Police released a statement saying that during the arrest mace was deployed, which may have caused an otherwise involuntary reaction.

"The Bridgeport Police Department is aware of a video circulating on social media showing the arrest of a male suspect. In the interest of full transparency, the Bridgeport Police Department is releasing the associated videos from officers’ body-cams along with footage from inside the vehicle. These video clips illustrate a comprehensive overview of what actually occurred on scene. During the arrest of the suspect, mace was deployed which may have caused an otherwise involuntary reaction.

The Bridgeport Police Department is committed to partnering with the community and providing quality police services while remaining open and as transparent as possible. There is an active administrative investigation into all actions by the officers involved."