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New Haven police chief recommends firing officer seen assaulting man on video

Police Chief Otoniel Reyes is recommending New Haven fire an eight-year veteran of the police department who was seen on body camera footage assaulting an intoxicated man on a city street on Christmas Day.

“This action is reprehensible,” Reyes told reporters Friday afternoon. "It is a sad day but I can assure you ... it does not represent the best of this department.''

According to a summary of an internal affairs report, the officer, Jason Santiago, kicked an intoxicated man in the groin while he was handcuffed and on the ground and pulled his hair. Santiago also punched the man after he spit on the officer.