{"id":7725,"date":"2014-12-02T10:22:40","date_gmt":"2014-12-02T18:22:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=7725"},"modified":"2014-12-02T10:22:40","modified_gmt":"2014-12-02T18:22:40","slug":"former-buffalo-cop-gets-probation-beating-suspect-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=7725","title":{"rendered":"Former Buffalo Cop Gets Probation for Beating a Suspect (Video)"},"content":{"rendered":"

BUFFALO, NY<\/strong>\u2014 A police officer who struck a suspect in the head \u00a0three times and once on his body with his boot was sentenced to a year’s probation, officials announced Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Prosecutors were seeking two years in prison for former police officer John Cirulli<\/strong>, according to published reports.<\/p>\n

U.S. District Court Judge William M. Skretny sentenced Cirulli,<\/strong> of Buffalo, after Cirulli was convicted of two counts of deprivation of rights under the color of law, officials said.<\/p>\n

Between 9:30 and 10:30 p.m. on April 19, the defendant and his partner pulled their unmarked police car up to a vehicle being driven by the victim and told him that he was speeding. The victim got out of his car, fled, and a foot chased ensued, officials said.<\/p>\n

After catching up to the victim, officials said the defendant and another officer took the victim to the ground. At one point while the victim was on the ground, Cirulli placed his knee on the victim\u2019s upper back area.<\/p>\n

Authorities said once the victim was handcuffed by officers and under control, the defendant struck the suspect in the head with his hand, struck the suspect in his body with his boot, and struck the suspect again in the head area with his hand.<\/p>\n

The suspect was then placed in the back seat of a Buffalo Police vehicle, where the defendant struck the suspect yet again in the face.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe law provides police officers with a substantial amount of power, including the right to deprive a person of his liberty when that person breaks the law,\u201d said U.S. Attorney \u00a0William J. Hochul. \u201cThe law is also clear, however, that an officer may not punch and kick a suspect when he is handcuffed, or is seated in the back of a police car, and the suspect poses no danger to anyone. By engaging in that precise conduct in this case, former Officer Cirulli crossed the line from being a police officer to a criminal defendant.\u201d
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