Video Alleging Westfield Cop Lied During Traffic Stop To Be Investigated

WESTFIELD, NJ — A video shared on social media of a traffic stop claiming to have caught a "rookie" Westfield Police Officer lying about why he pulled over the driver has prompted an investigation.

"The allegations made in this video will be thoroughly and completely investigated, this to determine if the officer’s actions were lawful and proper," said Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro on Wednesday night.

Battiloro's statement comes after the 12-plus minute video posted on YouTube by a group called Lackluster was brought to his attention and was referred to their Internal Affairs/Professional Standards Unit.

"The Westfield Police Department has worked hard to earn your faith, trust, and confidence and strives to do its best every day. We hold our officers to the highest of standards and nothing less than that shall ever be accepted," said Battiloro. "If any mistakes were made and/or any violations of our standard operating procedures occurred, please rest assured that appropriate action will be taken."

The video shows a traffic stop conducted by Westfield Officer Ayad Taha on Aug. 6 around 2:20 a.m. of a driver named Nate or Nathan.

Taha alleges Nate was driving 48 mph in a 35 mph zone on North Avenue E. The video alleges this to be false while displaying dashcam footage and officer body cam footage obtained from the traffic stop.

The video points out that the driver was issued a citation for careless driving and the ticket was checked as the driver having a commercial vehicle and carrying hazardous material. The driver can be seen in the video driving a 2006 Honda.

In the video, the driver Nate gives the officer the middle finger prior to the stop. The video claims this is the reasoning for the stop and citation.

The same driver previously was seen in a video by LackLuster showing a traffic stop in Cranford after Nate also gave the middle finger to an officer in that town.

Watch the video below:

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