DA declines to prosecute Peekskill police officer in controversial arrest
By: Peekskill, NY - After weeks of reviewing video and eyewitness evidence, the Westchester County district attorney has decided not to file criminal charges against a police officer involved in a controversial arrest in Peekskill.
The district attorney’s office released police body camera video Monday night related to the Dec. 3 encounter at Riverfront Green Park.
The incident drew condemnation from some community members earlier this month after a cellphone video surfaced showing a man being punched and kicked while being handcuffed.
The body camera footage shows Peekskill officers responding to an emotionally disturbed man, later identified as Damar Fields. In the video, Fields is seen with his pants down as officers repeatedly order him to get on the ground and roll onto his stomach.
After Fields refused commands, officers deployed a Taser several times, which appeared to have little effect. Video from multiple angles then shows an officer punching and kicking the unarmed man until his face is bloodied.
Additional officers arrived at the scene about two minutes later. The arresting officer told them, “I punched him in his face.”
Officers later tended to Fields as he requested medical assistance. “I need medical attention,” Fields said. An officer responded, “You’re going to get it.”
Police documented Fields’ facial injuries, and he was placed on a stretcher roughly 30 minutes after he was Tasered.
Fields’ mother said she was devastated by what she saw. “I’m heartbroken,” she said. “He’s going through some emotional issues at this time, but he’s very polite.”
Following public backlash, one officer was placed on paid leave. After a two-week use-of-force review, the district attorney’s office said it found no grounds for criminal prosecution.
“Our office determined that there is an insufficient basis to pursue criminal charges against any Peekskill police officer involved in this incident,” the office said in a statement.
Prosecutors did, however, recommend “additional training” focused on de-escalation techniques when dealing with people experiencing mental illness.
City officials have been contacted for clarification on the officer’s current employment status.
Fields was charged with four misdemeanor counts in connection with the incident and is scheduled to appear in court next month.