A Paterson police officer is going through costs after capturing a fleeing man in the back final June. The incident, recorded on a body-worn digicam, is being defended by the metropolis’s mayor.
Officer Jerry Moravek is charged with aggravated assault and official misconduct, New Jersey Legal professional Basic Matt Platkin stated Monday at a press convention saying the costs.
The footage exhibits Moravek responding to listening to photographs fired and chasing Dominique Capron, 28, of Paterson, down the road. He yells for Capron to drop the gun, after which shoots him in the back.
Capron survived the capturing but is now confined to a wheelchair. The police recovered a gun but it was not close to Capron when he was shot, Platkin stated.
“Every officer is taught that before deadly force can be considered, there must be a threat to that officer, to a fellow officer or the public,” Platkin stated.
Platkin stated the physique digicam footage exhibits there was no risk to public security when Capron was chased by the officer.
“The victim was never told to stop running. He was not warned that deadly force might be used,” Platkin stated. “Unfortunately, the fact remains that Moravek fired as an unarmed subject running away without giving proper warnings.”
The mayor of Paterson defended Moravek.
“The officer ran towards the shots fired and pursued an individual whom he believed to have a gun,” Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh stated in an announcement issued Monday. “While it is unfortunate that an individual was shot, a preliminary review reveals that the officer was following guidelines.”
The mayor says a number of weapons and shell casings had been recovered from the scene shortly after the capturing. But Platkin says there have to be an imminent risk to warrant the use of lethal power.
“We have made a commitment to stand up against unnecessary and excessive uses of force by those with a duty to protect the public, enforce the law and promote justice,” Platkin stated. “There is no more significant action than the use of deadly force. Not only can it result in the unnecessary loss of life or permanent injuries and disabilities, but instances of uncalled-for, disproportional and destructive use of deadly force sow distrust in, and erodes respect for, law enforcement among the community,”