Waterbury officer fired for berating driver during traffic stop

officer terminated
Screen shot of Waterbury Police Officer James Hinkle Photo credit Waterbury Police Dept

Waterbury, Conn./WTIC Radio - A Waterbury police officer has been fired over his conduct while directing traffic last month.

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Body worn camera video provided by the Waterbury Police Department.

Officer James Hinkle was working at Thomaston Avenue and Homer Street around noon on December 13.

While directing traffic, a vehicle drove through the intersection against the officer's signal to stop, after which Hinkle struck the driver side with his hand.

The seven year veteran officer then shouted commands for the driver to pull over.

Police body cam video appears to show Hinkle screaming and berating the female driver before and after back-up officers arrived on the scene.

The incident initiated an internal affairs investigation.

Police Chief Fred Spagnolo in a statement said Hinkle's conduct during the encounter was not acceptable and "is not representative of the men and women of the Waterbury police department."

Featured Image Photo Credit: Waterbury Police Dept