Hartford Cops Investigate Police Brutality

By MONICA BUCHANAN

Updated 11:57 AM EST, Mon, Nov 9, 2009

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It’s another potential black eye for Hartford. This time, officers are investigating three of their own for police brutality.

Chief Daryl K. Roberts tells NBC Connecticut an internal investigation is underway into the alleged assault of a suspect inside the Hartford Police Department booking area.

“We caught it. We initiated the investigation after word of the attack spread. We didn’t wait for a police brutality complaint to come forward,” said Roberts.

Police will not say why the suspect was initially arrested, but according to Roberts he became violent with one of the officers while behind bars-that’s when two officers fought back.

The alleged attack was all caught on tape by several surveillance cameras.

“It’s something we’re not going to tolerate in the police department. I’m very upset about the officers’ performance and conduct. We are investigating it fully and the officers will be disciplined accordingly,” said Roberts.

Those officers and the supervising lieutenant are now under investigation for the incident, but police are not releasing their names at this time. NBC Connecticut has learned one of the officers is a department veteran who is eligible for retirement and that two have been suspended.

Hartford residents say the news is disappointing, but don't think it reflects the entire department.

“The police have a job to do. I know there are some crooked cops, but overall I think we have a great police department,” said John Davis of Hartford.

At this point, the Chief says he’s investigation whether the officers committed any criminal offenses. If the investigation turns up any criminal offenses, Roberts says charges will be filed.

First Published: Nov 7, 2009 10:47 PM EST

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{"totSize":5,"payload_type":"json","status":"1","results":[{"anonName":null,"pathToMedia":"396499_69493842","adminTags":null,"views":657,"createdBy":12199211,"createdByPathToPhoto":"116995/icons/defaultMember_116995_portrait.jpg","assocMediaId":null,"mediaName":"Hartford Cops Investigate Police Brutality","parentThreadId":null,"mediaId":2691712,"tags":null,"anonSiteUrl":null,"assocMediaType":null,"createdAt":"8 Nov 2009 11:59:01 GMT","anonEmail":null,"isVisible":true,"approved":true,"numComments":5,"reviewed":true,"createdByUsername":"crimeslayer","pathToPreview":"","mediaType":"EXTERNALMEDIA","commentId":"1207471","subject":"","averageRating":0,"body":"If the HPD is investigating itself Im sure we will get justice."},{"anonName":null,"pathToMedia":"396499_69493842","adminTags":null,"views":657,"createdBy":7918844,"createdByPathToPhoto":"116995/icons/defaultMember_116995_portrait.jpg","assocMediaId":null,"mediaName":"Hartford Cops Investigate Police Brutality","parentThreadId":null,"mediaId":2691712,"tags":null,"anonSiteUrl":null,"assocMediaType":null,"createdAt":"8 Nov 2009 18:02:15 GMT","anonEmail":null,"isVisible":true,"approved":true,"numComments":5,"reviewed":true,"createdByUsername":"anonymous_user","pathToPreview":"","mediaType":"EXTERNALMEDIA","commentId":"1208331","subject":"","averageRating":0,"body":"I am in full support of the Hartford policemen. Why are they being punished for doing their job? Does this warrant such harsh punishment? I want the officers to know that I would want them to come and protect me if I called upon them. Give them a break. Did they corrupt the force? I don't think so. They will become the scapegoats so the department can look good."},{"anonName":null,"pathToMedia":"396499_69493842","adminTags":null,"views":657,"createdBy":7918844,"createdByPathToPhoto":"116995/icons/defaultMember_116995_portrait.jpg","assocMediaId":null,"mediaName":"Hartford Cops Investigate Police Brutality","parentThreadId":null,"mediaId":2691712,"tags":null,"anonSiteUrl":null,"assocMediaType":null,"createdAt":"8 Nov 2009 22:05:02 GMT","anonEmail":null,"isVisible":true,"approved":true,"numComments":5,"reviewed":true,"createdByUsername":"anonymous_user","pathToPreview":"","mediaType":"EXTERNALMEDIA","commentId":"1209069","subject":"","averageRating":0,"body":"Nice touch that Roberts has already labelled the confrontation an "attack." I am quite certain that a full, fair and impartial internal investigation will now take place. Daryl, who are you kidding? Between you and State's Attorney Hardy, I can't tell who is the bigger kangaroo in the kangaroo court you call the justice system."},{"anonName":null,"pathToMedia":"396499_69493842","adminTags":null,"views":657,"createdBy":14170464,"createdByPathToPhoto":"116995/icons/defaultMember_116995_portrait.jpg","assocMediaId":null,"mediaName":"Hartford Cops Investigate Police Brutality","parentThreadId":null,"mediaId":2691712,"tags":null,"anonSiteUrl":null,"assocMediaType":null,"createdAt":"8 Nov 2009 23:57:20 GMT","anonEmail":null,"isVisible":true,"approved":true,"numComments":5,"reviewed":true,"createdByUsername":"Justice1983","pathToPreview":"","mediaType":"EXTERNALMEDIA","commentId":"1209402","subject":"","averageRating":0,"body":"Im guessing neither of the two comments above me live in Hartford, or have seen these HTFD police officers in action? Either that or your police officers yourselves. This isn't new, I'm just surprised this story has gotten front page attention. HTFD police investigating their own? HA I'm so happy to see they have time on their hands to investigate actions that the police act on every week. How about they save sone of that aggression and investigate and SOLVE all these unsolved homicides in the city of HTFD. Hartford PD is a disgrace, right along with their mayor, and Police chief who blames the years rise in homicides to the failing economy. Oh but let me guess the HTFD police officers who were involved in this alleged beating, they to were lashing out because the eceonomy is not doing well? LOL I think not. Or maybe not enough overtime available? I also think not, I can think of about thirty something homicides that have yet to be solved, use the overtime for that. Or maybe they were upset they had to stay all night downtown to protect drunk party go'ers, oh wait that right they don't do that either. They stand outside and let shots be fired and allow 5 innocent people to be shot while they themselves are only standing feet away, and one unfortunately loses his life. I thought they were there to serve and protect? Maybe they are, but to me they serve and protect no one else but themselves, their Chief and their crooked Mayor. "},{"anonName":null,"pathToMedia":"396499_69493842","adminTags":null,"views":657,"createdBy":7918844,"createdByPathToPhoto":"116995/icons/defaultMember_116995_portrait.jpg","assocMediaId":null,"mediaName":"Hartford Cops Investigate Police Brutality","parentThreadId":null,"mediaId":2691712,"tags":null,"anonSiteUrl":null,"assocMediaType":null,"createdAt":"11 Nov 2009 11:55:57 GMT","anonEmail":null,"isVisible":true,"approved":true,"numComments":5,"reviewed":true,"createdByUsername":"anonymous_user","pathToPreview":"","mediaType":"EXTERNALMEDIA","commentId":"1226538","subject":"","averageRating":0,"body":"One thing im going to say is that is so sad that officers do this kind of thing.. Im so furious and so damn sad bec my son also got beaten for no reason, in the presence of 4 kids and this is not right the way i think about this is there are alot of great police officers but theres more crooked cops out there and only act this way with a badge "}],"error":"","totPages":1}