Bridgeport police are defending the actions of a police officer shown in an Internet video forcefully arresting a teenager.
Note: the video below contains graphic and potentially disturbing images and audio.
Police spokesman William Kaempffer said the officer was trying to control the youth, who was charged with interfering with police after being stopped early Sunday morning for a curfew violation. According to sources, the officer's name is Richard Cretella.
The video, which was posted on YouTube, shows the officer striking the teen while on the ground, and putting him in a headlock.
Kaempffer said police are allowed to use force, when necessary, to make an arrest, "especially when a suspect is resisting, as was the case here." He said the officer reported the teen was trying to stand up, refused to provide his hands to be handcuffed, and was grabbing at the officer's duty belt.
This report includes information from The Associated Press.
