Formal disciplinary charges have been filed against two City of Peekskill police officers following an internal investigation into the use-of-force incident involving Damar Fields at Riverfront Green Park on Dec. 3, 2025, Chief of Police Adam Renwick announced at the Common Council meeting on Feb. 23.
The officers, Daniel Regg and Angelo Cintron, had formal disciplinary charges filed against them for violations of departmental policy, following a comprehensive administrative investigation, Renwick said.
“Based on the seriousness of the alleged misconduct, both officers have been placed on unpaid suspension pending the outcome of the disciplinary process,” Renwick said in a prepared statement.
Charges against Regg relate to failures in communication, de-escalation, supervision and adherence to departmental use of force and emotionally-disturbed-person policies. The charges against Officer Cintron relate to failures in duty performance and adherence to departmental conduct, and performance standards while assisting at the scene, Renwick said.
The matters will now proceed through the formal disciplinary process required under New York State law and applicable labor agreements, Renwick said. The protocol includes full due process protections; no determinations about guilt or innocence have been made.
An attorney for the City of Peekskill Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association did not immediately respond for comment.
Fields, a homeless man with emotional issues known to police, was tased and punched during an arrest on Dec. 3, which sparked community outrage after a passerby’s cellphone footage of it was circulated online. The primary officer, Regg, was then placed on administrative paid leave on Dec. 4.
The incident was referred to the Westchester Attorney’s office, which on Dec. 22, announced it was declining to pursue criminal charges for any officers involved after determining there was an insufficient basis for criminal charges.
In addition, the district attorney’s office released body camera footage collected as part of its review, including one segment showing a pantless and erratic Fields telling Officer Regg, “I’ll kill you, you’re dead,” before getting tased, and another showing Regg and second officer on the scene, Cintron, punching a bloody Fields in the face while yelling at him to get on his stomach.
“It is equally important to recognize the actions of other officers who responded to this incident and acted exactly as they are trained to act,” Renwick said of the Dec. 3 incident.
Renwick said that when police officers Ron Stroh, Matt Rivera, Dante Hines, and detectives Paul Moerlins and John Marchioni arrived on scene, they immediately removed Officer Regg from the physical encounter, quickly and safely secured Fields in handcuffs, placed him in a recovery position and immediately requested emergency medical services.
“Their actions reflected sound judgement, proper de-escalation, and adherence to post-force medical protocol,” Renwick said. “Their response helped stabilize the situation and prioritize the safety and wellbeing of Mr. Fields. This is the standard of professionalism we expect from our officers and it is important that it be publicly acknowledged.”
He added, “I recognize the impact this incident has had on our community, and it is something that I do not take lightly. Accountability remains central to this department’s mission, and we will continue to provide updates when appropriate and legally permissible.”
Victory for Community, Say Advocates for Fields
Darrell Davis, a community advocate acting as a spokesperson for Fields and who circulated the original cell phone video of Fields’ arrest, described the announcement of discipline as something new to him.
“I think this is a clear victory for the community,” Davis told the Peekskill Herald over the phone. “The history of cops beating or killing Black people has been a history of disappointment for us in our community. So hopefully this is the beginning of structural change in Peekskill, the way the community is policed and treated.”
Following the announcement at the virtual council meeting , several community members applauded the chief and department for their action, including Peekskill resident Ingrid Wittmann, member of a support committee for Fields, Leah Nelson of the Westchester Coalition for Police Reform, and Pastor Valerie Paul-Greenaway of the United Methodist Church of Peekskill.
“It is the beginning of building trust back with our police department,” Wittmann said. “Chief Renwick has shown that he’s listening and willing to stand up for what’s right.”
Nelson, a Putnam Valley resident, said she believed Peekskill was really lucky with its new chief, calling Renwick intelligent, rational and unlike other chiefs she has met.
“I commend him for his transparency in making the announcement about the two officers who beat Damar Fields,” Nelson said. “He’s exhibiting accountability and transparency in making this announcement which is pretty unusual and I think he’ll build trust in Peekskill which Peekskill really deserves.
The conclusion of the police internal investigation enables the Peekskill’s Civilian Complaint Review Board to conduct its own investigation into the Dec. 3 riverfront incident and review evidence it gathers.
What’s Next for Fields?
In a misdemeanor complaint dated Dec. 11, now-suspended officer Regg alleged that Fields intentionally exposed his genitalia in a lewd manner in a public park where children and adults are known to be present. In addition, he allegedly possessed a glass pipe.
Fields was charged with public lewdness; criminal possession of a controlled substance; resisting arrest, and obstruction of governmental administration, to which he pled not guilty to on Jan. 8.
The Peekskill Herald attempted to reach civil rights attorney Mike Sussman, who has taken on Fields’ case, but his full voicemail and mailbox were not accepting messages. The Herald subsequently was able to leave a message for Sussman with a receptionist at 10:38 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24.
Fields’ next court date is Thursday, Feb. 26, at Peekskill City Court, where members of the support committee for Fields have said they will rally in support of him.
Editor’s Note > This story was updated at 12:12 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24, with respect to the Herald’s efforts to reach Damar Fields’ attorney, Michael Sussman.
