BINGHAMTON, NY (WIVT/WBGH) – The office of New York State Attorney General Letitia James is investigating a New Year’s Day arrest in Binghamton in which a Binghamton police officer videotaped himself kneeling on the neck of a black man. there is
According to Binghamton Mayor Jared Craham, BPD officials spoke with members of the AG’s office who requested records related to the January 1 arrest of 24-year-old Hamel Waddell.
Waddell has been charged with resisting arrest and obstruction of justice.
Local activists claim Waddell was wrongfully arrested after trying to stop a brawl between some white college students and people of color outside a downtown bar after New Year’s Eve festivities.
The AG’s office has state-mandated investigative powers in cases of deaths involving unarmed civilian officers.
However, it is unclear what jurisdiction the Attorney General has when there are serious injuries but no deaths.
Craham said an internal Binghamton police investigation is ongoing and the city is protecting the integrity of that investigation while addressing the AG’s request.
He continues to ask the public for video footage of bystanders of the arrest.
The officers involved were removed from the street and assigned to clerical work.
