SEABROOK, N.H. -- Three cops are on paid leave after a 2009 lockup video went viral yesterday, showing one officer slamming a drunken-driving suspect into a wall, another dousing him with pepper spray and smiling, and a third looking on and grinning.
Town officials insisted yesterday they'd never seen the video or heard of the incident before 23-year-old Michael Bergeron of Seabrook posted it online under the title, "police brutality in seabrook police station."
"In response to the video in question, the Town of Seabrook will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident, which will focus on adherence to established Seabrook Police Department protocols and procedures," Town Manager William M. Manzi said in a statement.
Manzi declined to identify the officers or specify how long they have been on the police force, saying that information will be released today.
The video shows an uncuffed, shirtless Bergeron being led down a police station hallway by three cops when one of them slams him into a wall and then pulls him to his feet. After Bergeron falls again, a second officer deploys pepper spray and clearly smiles before looking directly into the security camera. A third officer grins along with him.
Bergeron, who has a lengthy arrest record, could not be reached for comment yesterday. He wrote on YouTube that a lawyer had the tapes "and disappeared for 2 years before I finally tracked him down."
Bergeron said he suffered brain injuries, a lump on the back of his head and chipped teeth.
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McClatchy-Tribune News Service
