Veteran cop, 49, is suspended for misconduct after shocking bodycam shows him chasing a pedestrian and arresting him because the passerby complained about a detainee being forced to sit on a wet curb
Baltimore police have presented body camera footage that they say shows a veteran officer who has been suspended for misconduct chasing down and arresting a pedestrian who criticized his behavior.
Sgt. Ethan Newberg and a colleague have been suspended after investigators say body camera video disproved the 24-year veteran's account of an arrest last month. Newberg said the man was 'combative and aggressive.'
In video shown to reporters Friday, a passerby crosses a rain-slicked street where officers are conducting a stop. He tells officers they shouldn't make their detainee sit on a wet curb.
Baltimore police have released video on Friday showing the wrongful arrest that Sgt. Ethan Newberg and a fellow officer were suspended over
Newberg runs toward the passerby and a second officer tackles him. They engage in a scuffle before Newberg and the other officer arrest the man.
The passerby can be heard telling the officers that he will sue them and telling them to take their knees off his back.
Another view is provided from the other officer's bodycam, showing him hop out of his patrol car and run after the passerby.
In the clip Newberg runs toward the passerby and a second officer tackles him. They engage in a scuffle before Newberg and the other officer arrest the man
The passerby can be heard telling the officers that he will sue them and telling them to take their knees off his back
Newberg was paid $243,000 last fiscal year, making him among the highest-paid city employees. He's been charged with assault.
It's unclear whether Newberg has an attorney who could comment on his behalf.
Baltimore Police Sgt. Ethan Newberg, 49, was charged with assault, false imprisonment and misconduct before being released from county jail Friday morning
Newberg was charged with assault, false imprisonment and misconduct before being released from county jail on June 7
, according to the Baltimore Sun.
Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said during a press conference that Newberg's bodycam video disproved his account of the May arrest that took place in the 2300 block of Aston Street in West Baltimore.
Newberg had forced a male suspect to lie on the sidewalk while he ran a warrant check on him that day when a male bystander walked by and told the officer he was wrong to make the first suspect lie on the concrete, which he said was wet, according to Harrison.
Newberg chased down and arrested the vocal pedestrian, who Harrison said was taken down by another officer at the scene. Newberg told the department the second man had acted aggressively toward him while he was detaining the first man.
Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said during a press conference that Newberg's bodycam video disproved his account of the May arrest that took place in the 2300 block of Aston Street in West Baltimore
'The body-worn camera video that I reviewed tells a much different story,' Harrison said. 'It shows the man speaking to Sgt. Newberg and walking calmly away after offering his opinion that Sgt. Newberg should have not placed a suspect on a wet sidewalk.'
Newberg earned $243,000 during fiscal year 2018, making him Baltimore's second highest-paid city employee, according to the Baltimore Sun.
He has been suspended without pay.
Other city officials issue statements criticizing Newberg on Friday.
Mayor Bernard C. 'Jack' Young tweeted his support for Commissioner Harrison's disciplinary actions thus far.
Mayor Bernard C. 'Jack' Young tweeted his support for Commissioner Harrison's disciplinary actions thus far
'An essential part of police reform in Baltimore involves restoring the trust between the community and members of the police department,' Young tweeted. 'In my view, the actions taken by the officer in question are unbecoming of someone in law enforcement and will not be tolerated.'
Baltimore City Council President Brandon M. Scott, who said he has watched Newberg's footage, also applauded Harrison for his preliminary accountability.
'The officer's actions portrayed in the video are unacceptable, weak and counterproductive,' Scott said in a written statement.
'We will not make progress on the crime fight until Baltimore's communities can have their faith restored in the Department. And as long as there are BPD officers who [conduct] themselves the way this officer did, we will never restore that trust.'
Veteran cop, 49, is suspended for misconduct after shocking bodycam shows him chasing a pedestrian and arresting him because the passerby complained about a detainee being forced to sit on a wet curb
![Veteran cop, 49, is suspended for misconduct after shocking bodycam shows him chasing a pedestrian and arresting him because the passerby complained about a detainee being forced to sit on a wet curb]()
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June 15, 2019
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