Nassau County Executive Curran calls for investigation into alleged Freeport police brutality incident

Officials are calling for an investigation into what some people say is a case of brutality at the hands of a group of Freeport Village police officers.

News 12 Staff

Dec 5, 2019, 7:45 PM

Updated 1,593 days ago

Share:

Officials are calling for an investigation into what some people say is a case of brutality at the hands of a group of Freeport Village police officers.
Video of the alleged altercation seems to show the man, confirmed to be 44-year-old Akbar Rogers by the Freeport Village attorney, fighting with the Freeport officers near a house on Seaman Avenue.
Rogers can be heard calling out for help in the video. Several officers are seen punching him in the head, while yelling for him to "stop resisting arrest."
A Taser is also heard being used. According to the Freeport Village attorney, Rogers had run from police as officers tried to apprehend him.
The attorney also says Rogers was wanted on an outstanding warrant for aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle and in a separate alleged case of physical harassment. They also say Rogers led officers on a police chase Monday.
Rogers' son, Rahquell Rogers, denies his father was involved in the chase as he doesn't own a vehicle. He also says the officers seen in the video should be fired.
"If my dad wasn't a built... well-stable man... I think that they would have literally killed my dad," Rahquell Rogers says.
Rogers told News 12 that the officers dislocated his arm and had him subdued. He says the officers were excessive.
Nassau County Executive Laura Curran called for an independent investigation into the arrest of Rogers. She says Mayor Robert Kennedy is also requesting an investigation.
Freeport Village spokesperson Brian Finnegan confirmed to News 12 that Kennedy's son was one of the officers in the video.
The Nassau District Attorney's Office says it's reviewing the matter.
Freeport Police Benevolent Association president Shawn Randall said in a statement that the organization stands behind the officers.
"I am confident that when the judicial process is complete and all facts are presented, it will be confirmed that our officers did their jobs in accordance with the law," Randall said in the statement.
News 12 reached out to Kennedy for comment. The officers involved remain on active duty.
 


More from News 12
1:32
Police swarms Elmsford neighborhood, details remain scarce

Police swarms Elmsford neighborhood, details remain scarce

2:17
Amazing weather today, light rain tomorrow afternoon through Thursday

Amazing weather today, light rain tomorrow afternoon through Thursday

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

0:54
Mandatory seat belt law proposal for charter buses spurred after fatal Orange County crash

Mandatory seat belt law proposal for charter buses spurred after fatal Orange County crash

0:41
Rockland Community College library and student union closed indefinitely due to water damage

Rockland Community College library and student union closed indefinitely due to water damage

0:23
Vandalism at New Hampton park prompts search for culprit

Vandalism at New Hampton park prompts search for culprit

1:00
Headlines: Officer charged in illegal eavesdropping, drug dealer arrested again, missing woman

Headlines: Officer charged in illegal eavesdropping, drug dealer arrested again, missing woman

0:25
Port Chester man arrested after burglary leads to standoff in Elmsford

Port Chester man arrested after burglary leads to standoff in Elmsford

0:26
MTA introduces electric-powered vans to Access-A-Ride fleet

MTA introduces electric-powered vans to Access-A-Ride fleet

Orange County DA: 2 men arrested in Walmart knife fight that injured a police officer

Orange County DA: 2 men arrested in Walmart knife fight that injured a police officer

0:24
Hyde Park School District honored nationally for music education excellence

Hyde Park School District honored nationally for music education excellence

Guide: Alcohol addiction recovery support and resources

Guide: Alcohol addiction recovery support and resources

2:54
Prison conversations shed light on Robert Durst's mental state, depths he went to evade justice

Prison conversations shed light on Robert Durst's mental state, depths he went to evade justice

1:55
Gov. Hochul, state lawmakers reach 'conceptual' agreement on state budget

Gov. Hochul, state lawmakers reach 'conceptual' agreement on state budget

0:35
Police: 41-year-old man recovering from stabbing at New Rochelle sports lounge

Police: 41-year-old man recovering from stabbing at New Rochelle sports lounge

New DMV comes to downtown Port Jervis

New DMV comes to downtown Port Jervis

2:12
Rockland pressures Evergreen Court to clean up 2021 fire site

Rockland pressures Evergreen Court to clean up 2021 fire site

1:54
What happens to the clothes you donate? Greenburgh town supervisor explains

What happens to the clothes you donate? Greenburgh town supervisor explains

1:59
Fire engulfs 3 cars at Port Chester's The Waterfront shopping complex

Fire engulfs 3 cars at Port Chester's The Waterfront shopping complex

1:42
South Blooming Grove issued DOH violations amid water crisis and construction boom

South Blooming Grove issued DOH violations amid water crisis and construction boom