WARREN (WWJ) – Matthew Rodriguez, the police officer caught on camera assaulting a suspect in a booking room earlier this month, has been fired from the Warren Police Department.
Warren Police Commissioner Bill Dwyer announced Monday afternoon Rodriguez had been fired after “a detailed review” of his actions during what Dwyer called an “unjustified assault” as well as the conclusions reached during an internal investigation.
“Like everybody, I was shocked and appalled when I observed Rodriguez’s actions,” Dwyer said in a press release. “These actions were completely unjustified and unprofessional, ultimately resulting in criminal charges against him.”
Video released last week showed the attack, which happened just after 6 a.m. Tuesday, June 13, at the Warren Police Department Jail, at Warren Police Headquarters on S. Civic Center Blvd.
Rodriguez, 48, was arraigned on charges of misdemeanor assault and battery and willful neglect of duty in connection with the attack that officials said lasted six seconds, before other police officers intervened.
Dwyer said last week the 19-year-old man who was attacked was being booked on felony charges in connection with a carjacking. While the commissioner noted there were words exchanged before the assault, the officers violent actions were “completely unacceptable.”
Rodriguez had been placed on paid administrative leave while the department conducted an internal investigation.
“This incident no doubt reflected negatively on every member of this department,” Dwyer said in a press release. “A comprehensive internal investigation showed that Rodriguez violated multiple department policies and procedures. Given the totality of this incident, the decision to terminate Rodriguez’s employment was clear and obvious.”
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