Maplewood Police Investigate Pepper Spraying Of Teens

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — An internal police affairs unit is investigating Maplewood officers’ response to a street fight in July where a group of South Orange and Maplewood teens were allegedly pepper sprayed, authorities say.

Maplewood Police Chief Robert Cimino issued an email statement last week announcing that an investigation has been launched into the July 5 incident in accordance with the NJ Attorney Generals Internal Affairs Guidelines.

According to reports, Maplewood police allegedly pepper sprayed and arrested multiple teens after a large fight broke out following the township’s 4th of July fireworks celebration, according to a report.

Police arrested four teens, three from South Orange and one from Maplewood, around 10 p.m., after arriving on the scene of a large group of allegedly disorderly youths, The Village Green reported.

Some of the teens allegedly resisted arrest and refused to leave the area, Maplewood Sgt. Christopher Black told The Village Green.

No officers were injured during the incident, but Black reportedly told Essex County Place that an officer was forced to use oleoresin capsicum - commonly known as pepper spray.

“Officers attempting to break up the fight were significantly outnumbered, and were being rushed by a group of individuals that had already been ordered to disperse,” Black told Essex County Place.

“This group was charging at officers as the officers were attempting to separate other individuals engaged in fighting,” he added. “The O.C. spray was effective in deterring these individuals from assaulting officers and the individuals involved fled into the crowd after O.C. spray was deployed.”

Multiple witnesses at the scene posted videos that allegedly depict the aftermath of the pepper spraying.

• See related article: Maplewood Cop Pepper Sprays Teens After Fireworks Celebration, Report Says

In his statement, Cimino said that the Maplewood Police Department considers all allegations of police misconduct to be extremely important.

“On July 5, Maplewood police officers responded to various reports of disorderly conduct, fighting, the failure of large crowds to disperse and various other violations of the law,” Cimino wrote. “Several arrests were made on that date. The Internal Affairs Unit of the Maplewood Police Department is currently conducting an investigation into allegations regarding police activities on the date of July 5, 2016. Upon the conclusion of the the investigation the results of the investigation will be disseminated according to the NJ Attorney Generals Internal Affairs Guidelines.”

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