Bedford officials discuss dispatch tape controversy

The Bedford police chief and town council held a closed-door meeting Tuesday night to address the audiotapes related to the death of a homeless illegal immigrant that surfaced last week. It is unknown

News 12 Staff

Jan 23, 2008, 4:14 AM

Updated 6,079 days ago

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The Bedford police chief and town council held a closed-door meeting Tuesday night to address the audiotapes related to the death of a homeless illegal immigrant that surfaced last week.
It is unknown if the board and police chief discussed possible disciplinary action against the officers. However, many say the tapes could be very damaging for the officers and the town.
On the audiotape, on-duty police officers are heard joking about the death of Rene Perez. The tape was made the night Perez was found dying on the side of a Bedford road last spring.
Mount Kisco Police Officer George Bubaris was charged with manslaughter in the case. Prosecutors say he beat Perez and left him for dead, though Bubaris denies it.
Fernando Mateo, president of Hispanics Across America says the officers should be worried about repercussions. He says he will be meeting with federal agents in Washington, D.C. to determine what action, if any, can be taken against the police department.
A civil rights action has already been filed against the town and police department. Attorney Kevin Faga says the charges could prove costly in terms of money and reputation.
Related Information: Bedford P.D. records requested in Mt. Kisco cop caseDefense releases video, 911 call in Perez's death caseCop in Perez case linked to '05 brutality claimCop accused in immigrant's death makes bail Mt. Kisco cop charged with death of immigrant Pressure mounts on Mt. Kisco P.D. in immigrant's death Grand jury hears testimony in immigrant's death Video could provide clues in immigrant's murder Police release blotter from night of immigrant's death Brother sues Mt. Kisco, Bedford over immigrant's death