Five Hartford Police Officers Disciplined in Excessive Force Claim

HARTFORD, CT — Disciplinary action has been taken against five members of the Hartford Police Department who were determined to have been in violation of the department's Code of Conduct during a multi-town vehicle pursuit last summer.

Three officers were suspended, while two others were issued oral reprimands, Deputy Chief Brian Foley said in a statement.

The disciplinary action followed an internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding a pursuit which began in Hartford on June 4, 2016 and ended in neighboring West Hartford.

Two suspects in a stolen car, Ricardo Perez and Emilio Diaz, were arrested. During the course of being taken into custody, Diaz was apparently kicked in the head by Sgt. Sean Spell. The incident was captured on a police dashcam video.

Spell retired two months after the incident, and was arrested in December on charges of assault and breach of peace.

Five other officers involved in the case who were disciplined are:

• Officer Ricardo Colon - suspended 100 calendar days
• Officer Stephen Barone - suspended four days
• Detective Christopher Mastroianni - suspended two days
• Officer James Prignano - oral reprimand
• Officer Luan Bojka - oral reprimand

Each of the officers disciplined have received or will be receiving extensive remedial training from the Hartford Police Department, Foley said.

Photo credit: Hartford Police Department

Video credit: WNPR News via YouTube