Seabrook, N.H. (WHDH) – Three Seabrook police officers have been put on administrative leave Tuesday after video of a 2009 incident inside the police department surfaced on the Internet.
The YouTube video shows three officers walking a 19-year-old suspect down a hall. One of the officers appears to slam the suspect into a cement wall. A fourth officer shows up later.
The video was apparently posted by the suspect himself, who said he was falsely charged with drunk driving. He said that he has brain injuries and a friend said that he is trying to find an attorney.
It’s unclear as to why the video is only surfacing now after four years.
Seabrook Town Manager William Manzi released a statement on Tuesday.
“On behalf of the Board of Selectmen and the chief of police in response to the video in question, the town of Seabrook will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident,” Manzi said.
Three of the officers could face discipline pending the outcome.
In an interview with 7News, Manzi stated that the investigation will focus on if the proper polices and protocols of the police department were followed.
"If they were not followed here–and you can make your own assumptions based on what you see in the video–the chief will take further administrative action," Manzi said.
The police chief said that it doesn't look good for the officers.
"Obviously this incident is a major setback that's being dealt with," said Chief Lee Bitomske.
The state's attorney general is also investigating.
Many who viewed the video said that what they saw was excessive police force.
"If they did do what they're saying they did they should be put on leave," said Michell Williams.
However, the police report from the incident states that the suspect was being unruly and hostile to the officers.
"He became hostile to us in the booking room…spitting…yelling derogatory remarks as us," said one officer in the report. Another officer said that he had to use pepper spray on the suspect.