New Haven police have exonerated the officer who forced a 15-year-old girl to the ground while arresting her during the city's annual St. Patrick's Day parade in an incident that was captured on camera and sparked protests.
Police said earlier this week that the police officer involved was placed on desk duty at the direction of New Haven Mayor Toni Harp. The Associated Press has identified the officer as Joshua Smereczynsky.
New Haven Police Chief Dean Esserman said during a news conference Friday that the officer acted according to his training. Harp said she has accepted the police department's findings.
"That officer has been exonerated from the action he took, but the department has work to do," Esserman said.
Cellphone video of the arrest posted to YouTube and shows the officer forcing the handcuffed teen to the ground on March 15. The girl, identified by family members as Teandrea Cornelius, appears to hit her head on the pavement.
Her family said the incident ignited when an 18-year-old threatened her inside a nearby Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant during the parade. Teandrea walked away with a fractured shoulder and a cut near her eye, according to her family.
The footage shows police taking away what appears to be a knife. Teandrea was charged with carrying a dangerous weapon and other crimes.
The department met with Teandrea's family prior to Friday's briefing, Esserman said.
"A beautiful young child of our city was arrested," he said.
