A Peekskill City Police Department officer has been placed on administrative leave after a “troubling” video was posted on social media showing an arrest by the gazebo in Riverfront Green Park in the late afternoon of Wednesday, Dec. 3.
An officer was seen on cellphone video repeatedly tasing a man on the ground, as well as punching and kicking him while cursing at him to get on his face and stomach. The officer was joined by several other officers in holding the man down. The video begins after the incident already is in progress, with no visual recording of what may have happened beforehand.
The video quickly raised outrage on social media regarding the level of force used. It was posted online by community advocate Darrell Davis, who was sent the video by an unnamed citizen filming discreetly while positioned alongside the park’s public restroom structure.
Here is the Facebook video posted by Darrell Davis with his comment under the video.
The man being kicked and tased was identified as 42-year-old Damar Fields by his mother, Barbara Simpson, in an interview with WABC-TV Eyewitness News on Friday, Dec. 5. Simpson said she was devastated, describing her son as a young man with “some emotional issues.” He is not currently in custody, WABC reported.
Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie also appears in the Eyewitness News coverage, calling the incident “deeply concerning,” adding, “Something like that could really destroy the trust a community would have in a police department, and there’s no place for those kinds of activities within this community.” WABC-TV also reported that “Fields grew up in Croton and is the father of two.” It added that “the family is in the process of retaining an attorney.”
On Thursday, Dec. 4, one day after the incident, the City of Peekskill issued a press release acknowledging that the video raised significant concern and that it was taking the matter “extremely seriously.”
“The video is troubling and raises serious questions about what transpired—specifically regarding the officer’s conduct and use of force,” the city stated. “This incident is under active investigation to determine all relevant facts and circumstances.”
It continued, “The City of Peekskill and its Police Department recognize that this event has the potential to damage community trust. It is important to examine all factors surrounding this incident, including those not visible in the video, to fully understand the actions of both the officer and the individual involved. For that reason, the City is committed to a comprehensive investigation.”
The city said that the officer has been placed on administrative leave while the matter is under review. The incident will be reviewed by the City of Peekskill’s Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB), as required by City Code. All evidence has been forwarded to the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office for an independent investigation.
“It is currently under review by our Public and Law Enforcement Integrity Unit,” said a spokesperson for the DA’s office. “The officer involved has been placed on paid administrative leave by his department pending further investigation. As this remains an active investigation, we cannot comment further at this time.”
Lt. Adam Renwick, who is slated to be appointed chief of police by the City of Peekskill on Monday, Dec. 8, told the Peekskill Herald in a statement that the department is fully cooperating as the DA’s office conducts a full evaluation of the incident and determines any appropriate next steps.
“In accordance with our policies, any incident involving a potential misuse of force is immediately documented, reviewed by supervisory personnel, and subject to internal assessment while the external investigation is underway,” Renwick said. “The department continues to emphasize training in de-escalation, use-of-force standards, and community-focused policing to ensure accountability and strengthen public trust.”
He continued, “As this remains an active review by an outside agency, we are limited in what can be discussed at this stage. However, once the District Attorney’s Office completes its evaluation, any information that can appropriately be released to the public will be shared.”
The city said that anyone with additional information, including video or eyewitness accounts, is encouraged to come forward by contacting Lt. Adam Renwick at (914) 862-1406 or by email at [email protected]
“We remain committed to keeping our community informed as this investigation progresses,” the city concluded in its press release. “Upholding public trust is essential to our mission, and we will take every step necessary to ensure accountability.”
Darrell Davis, who posted the video to social media, filed a law enforcement misconduct complaint with the Office of the New York State Attorney General. He told the Herald he has been in contact with the man’s family, including the man’s mother who told him her son received medical attention.
Cynthia Knox, CEO of Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of Peekskill (CHHOP), released a statement on Dec. 5 in response to the incident.
“The man who was beaten, repeatedly tased, and verbally assaulted by a Peekskill police officer is believed to be a member of the unhoused community,” Knox said. “We support the quick response and public statement issued by the City of Peekskill reinforcing that the safety and dignity of each and every human being is critical. CHHOP strongly condemns the unfortunate national trend of rhetoric demonizing others, including the unhoused. Appropriately, the Peekskill community is calling for accountability and CHHOP supports this call. We are our brother’s keeper.”
