Connecticut State Police arrest a New Haven Police officer who is accused of punching a handcuffed woman twice during an arrest in October of 2025.
Officer Evan Kelly, 47, turned himself into State Police on Thursday to face a charge of third degree assault.
Around 1:15 a.m. on October 18, 2025, Kelly went to Elm City Social in New Haven on the report of a disturbance involving an employee who was fired for being intoxicated at work.
Kelly arrested the woman and handcuffed her behind her back and was uncooperative, according to the arrest warrant.
New Haven Police, in their own statement, says the woman tried to grab items in the Officer's duty belt at which time a struggle ensued and Officer Kelly struck the arrestee "several times" in the head.
The New Haven Police investigation into the incident found Officer Kelly violated Department use of force policy.
Kelly was released on a written promise to appear and is scheduled to appear in New Haven Superior Court at 9 a.m. on November 3, 2026.
