Newport Police ID Officers, Men Involved In Violence Caught On Video

NEWPORT, RI — Newport police identified two men who were arrested, as well as the officers, involved in an incident that turned violent over the weekend.

A video of the Thames Street incident shows a uniformed police officer push one man, forcing another to fall to the ground. The video also shows one man being thrown into a pole. The video also shows the officer strike a man in the face before tackling him to the ground.

In a news release, Newport police said Officer John Sullivan was on patrol early Monday morning for crowd control, when a bar was closing in the area of Thames Street and Green Street. Police said Sullivan saw a man, later identified as Dennis Engleson, 22, of Newport, throw a silicone bar mat at someone walking on the sidewalk.

Police said Sullivan asked Engleson and his friends to leave the area immediately.

"Engleson began to leave but continuously yelled towards Officer J. Sullivan, then proceeded to pick up the mat again," police said in the news release. "Officer J. Sullivan told Engleson five separate times to leave the area, but he continued to yell and act belligerently, making it clear to the officer that he was not leaving the bar area."

Sullivan arrested Engleson and charged him with disorderly conduct. Police said Engleson implied he was not going to be arrested and turned away. Engleson, resisted arrest and additional officers were called to the scene, police said.

But Engleson's lawyer said the way police portrayed the arrest wasn't true, and the videos circulated on social media "speak for themselves."

"My client vehemently denies any of the allegations and version of events made against him,"Attorney Christopher Millea told WPRI 12. "He looks forward to vindicating his name and his reputation in court."

When Sullivan called for backup, police said Officer Neil Sullivan came to help, and Det. Patrick Walsh arrived on scene for crowd control.

Then a second man, later identified as Christopher Adams, 22, of Newport, got involved with the situation, police said.

"Detective Walsh, while controlling the crowd, was startled to see a male directly behind him as officers John and Neil Sullivan were still securing Engleson," police said. "Use of force was used to secure the second male, later identified as Christopher Adams. Adams was brought to the ground for obstructing the two officers who were actively arresting Engleson."

Adam's attorney Craig Hein also denied the police department's telling of the confrontation.

"My client vehemently disagrees with the characterization of the events that night," Hein told WPRI 12. "Once again, the video speaks very clearly."

Engleson and Adams are scheduled for court on July 6.