Combative Suspect Pepper Sprayed At Enfield Police Department

ENFIELD, CT — A man arrested in connection with a domestic violence case Monday became combative during the booking process at Enfield police headquarters, necessitating the use of pepper spray following the suspect's assault on a police sergeant.

Tyree L. Cauley Sr., 39, of Hartford, was charged with three counts of third-degree assault, three counts of second-degree breach of peace and two counts of risk of injury to a child in connection with the domestic violence arrest. Following the altercation at the police department, he was additionally charged with interfering with an officer and five counts of assault on a public safety officer. He is being held in lieu of $25,000 bond.

According to a police report, Cauley was arrested in connection with the domestic assault of his ex-girlfriend and two juvenile children they have together. Based on a prior injury to his right hand, he had not been handcuffed during transport. He was cooperative during the transport and the arrest processing, including being photographed and fingerprinted.

Around 6:30 p.m., Cauley was informed he was being held on bond in the domestic violence case, he was going to be placed in a holding cell and he was required to relinquish his leather belt, as per department policy to prevent potential suicides. He was asked numerous times by the officers to comply, but repeatedly refused and requested to speak to a supervisor, Police Chief Alaric Fox said.

Sgt. James Held spoke with Cauley, informing him of the bond procedure and the need for him to relinquish his belt and enter the cell. During the interaction, Held pleaded with Cauley, joked with him, fist bumped with him and shook his hand in an attempt to gain his compliance. Cauley continued to refuse to comply, despite multiple requests, and two additional officers were brought into the arrest processing area to assist, Fox said.

"Cauley established a fighting stance with bent knees, bladed torso, a scowled face and clenched fists," Fox said. "He made statements that “it was going to be a long night” and something to the effect of “bring it on.” In response to this fighting position and refusal to continue with the detention process, efforts were made to bring him under control through the use of a taser," Fox said.

Cauley continued to resist, backed in behind an electronic fingerprinting machine and grabbed an aerosol can of disinfectant and a bottle of hand lotion. Pepper spray was then deployed against him, at which point he moved further behind the machine in an effort to avoid officers' attempts to place him in the cell. Cauley then sprayed Held with the disinfectant, at which time pepper spray was used on him again. He continued to fight with officers and be non-compliant, and was again tased before officers were able to gain control of him, Fox said.

Cauley was immediately given first aid, and was transported to Johnson Memorial Hospital, where he was treated and released to police custody, Fox said.

"The incident was video and audio recorded on the EPD building surveillance system and it supports the actions taken by personnel to de-escalate the situation," Fox said.

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