Newport Police Officer Won't Be Charged In Fight Caught On VIdeo

NEWPORT, RI — A Newport police officer caught on video punching a man in the face outside a bar will not face charges, according to Attorney General Peter Neronha's Office.

The statewide grand jury opted not to charge Det. Patrick Walsh in connection to the Thames Street fight on June 27, which resulted in the arrests of Christopher Adam and Dennis Engleson, both 22, and of Newport. They were charged with resisting arrest and obstruction of a police officer. Engleson was also charged with disorderly conduct, and both men pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Following the ruling, Adams attorney Craig Hein told WPRI 12 that "the video speaks for itself" and his client did "nothing wrong."

The arrests happened after a bar closed in Newport. A video of the Thames Street incident showed Walsh 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 Engleson 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.

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

Then Adams 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."