Ridgewood police face criticism for arrest of bike-riding teen caught on camera

The Ridgewood Police Department is being questioned over an officer’s use of force during the arrest of a teen who had been riding a bike through the village on Sunday.

News 12 Staff

Jul 27, 2020, 11:42 PM

Updated 1,613 days ago

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The Ridgewood Police Department is being questioned over an officer’s use of force during the arrest of a teen who had been riding a bike through the village on Sunday.
The incident was caught on camera. A police officer is seen questioning a group of teens riding bikes near Ridgewood Avenue. Another officer then grabs one of the kids by the neck from behind and takes him down to the ground.
Ridgewood Avenue was closed on Sunday to all but foot traffic to help local businesses. Police say that the teens were obstructing traffic.
Police say that the teen who was grabbed has been given a summons and tried to ride off. An officer grabbed his handlebars and as the teen attempted to pull away, and that is when the other officer grabbed him by the neck and took him down.
The two officers are seen on the ground with the teen, putting him in handcuffs while a crowd gathers and yells at the officer. The teen is eventually placed into a squad car.
The teen has been identified as a 15-year old from Sloatsburg, New York.
Ridgewood police said in a statement, "Due to the many facets of this incident, including but not limited to the fact that we review every use of force incident and feedback received from the public, this incident is still under active investigation. This is incident has also been referred to the Internal Affairs Unit."
Police say that there were reports that the teens had also been obstructing traffic in nearby Hawthorne and Glen Rock.