Body camera video released Monday shows a local police officer repeatedly using a Taser on a suspect as the man was on the ground and pleading for the cop to stop.
Naugatuck police released information Monday afternoon on the robbery suspect who an officer used a Taser on three time while taking him into custody on Oct. 14. The officer, identified as Nicholas Kehoss, is now under investigation, which could lead to possible criminal charges. Kehoss was placed on paid leave last week, according to police.
In a news conference on Friday, Chief of Police Colin McAllister said the department was “committed to transparency” concerning the incident but was not releasing details out of the respect for the state police investigation. He said Kehoss was a 13-year veteran of the department.
McAllister said the incident happened after an attempted robbery at a Stop & Shop in Naugatuck. He said Kehoss has been placed on administrative leave while the investigation continues.
According to body and dash camera footage, the vehicle is seen fleeing from two officers, striking at least one cruiser while the driver exited a parking lot. The footage shows the driver then crashed a short distance away on a highway on-ramp.
The video shows one of the suspects, identified as Jarell Day, 33, of Waterbury, attempt to run away after the crash. Kehoss got out of his cruiser and ordered the man to stop, the video shows.
The footage shows Kehoss run toward Day and first deploy the Taser as he ordered the man to get on the ground. He then used the Taser again to get Day to turn over on his stomach so his hands could be cuffed behind his back, the video shows. Kehoss then deployed the Taser a third time as Day was on his back but not yet handcuffed, the video shows. Day repeatedly apologized to Kehoss and pleaded with him to stop using the Taser, according to the video.
Day was charged with attempted second-degree assault, third-degree robbery, assault on police, illegal possession of a weapon in a vehicle, second-degree larceny, reckless driving, operating under suspension and evading responsibility.
He was held on $200,000 bond after the arrest. Police did not provide any other information on the arrest in a news release Monday afternoon.
Kehoss was determined to be justified in using deadly force in a 2020 incident when he fired three shots at a vehicle that had rammed his cruiser and was continuing to drive directly at him, according to a report issued by state Inspector General Robert Devlin. No one was struck by the bullets, Devlin said in the report.
The use of the Taser was first flagged by the officer’s supervisor during a routine review, police said.
The incident was then sent to Waterbury State’s Attorney Maureen Platt who determined that a criminal investigation into the use of force should be conducted by state police, the release said.
The department hired an outside law firm to direct a separate internal probe, police said Friday.
No injuries were reported as a result of the incident, according to police.
After the conference, Wendy Tyson-Wood, the president of the Greater Waterbury NAACP, said her organization was notified of the incident on Saturday by police and the state’s attorney’s office. She said her organization is deeply concerned about the incident “involving the unwarranted excessive force on an individual by a police officer.”
“Our organization is currently diligently investigating this incident,” she said. “We will continue to follow the case closely. It is our firm belief that unwarranted use of force by law enforcement must be addressed and rectified, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that justice prevails.”
Tyson-Wood said her organization was grateful McAllister responded promptly to the incident and for his commitment to transparency.
“We understanding that addressing such incidents can be complex, and his willingness to engage properly is a positive step toward resolving the issue,” she said. “We also want to thank the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s office for her prompt attention to this matter. Those actions together demonstrates commitment to the well-being of our community and the pursuit of justice.”
