A short video has surfaced showing police officers in West Deptford, New Jersey, allegedly attack a teenager for refusing to give his name.
West Deptford police
The footage shows one officer ask the teen, identified as 18-year-old Chris James Cuneo, “Whats your first name?”
“I’m not telling you,” the teen responds.
“OK then, you’re going to get arrested for obstruction,” the officer says.
“For obstruction of what?” the teen asks.
“Obstructing my investigation,” the officer says.
“Give him your name,” another officer commands.
After the teen refuses again, the officers get physical by appearing to smack away his recording device and take him to the ground.
“Why are you punching him, why are you punching him?” a bystander can be heard asking the officers. “That’s not right. Don’t punch him!”
Video goes viral
The video was posted Saturday on twitter by an individual claiming to be a friend of the teen.
He said that police responded to a party last night as people were leaving, and told the 18-year-old to stay.
He claims that after the the teen was assaulted, he was charged with “hindering, resisting arrest, and obstruction” and “was not read his rights.”
Pictures posted to Facebook appear to show stitches or staples received to treat facial wounds allegedly sustained from police officers and Cuneo claims he was knocked unconscious.
“I took two steps towards the door and they bum rushed me,” Cuneo said. “The cop I was talking to got on top of me on the ground and punched me 3 times in the face, knocking me unconscious.”
The officers involved have been identified as Creedon and Svenson. West Deptford police are reviewing the incident.
The kicker is, individuals have the right to remain silent when talking to police.
