No Body Cam Video Released Yet; No ID of Cop Yet; No Charges Filed Against Damar Fields Yet
Damar Fields
By Dan Murphy
On December 3, 42-year-old Peekskill resident Damar Fields was at the Riverfront Green Park on the banks of the Hudson River.
Peekskill Police Officers arrived after receiving complaints about Fields. A witness recorded video of an officer tasing and kicking Fields while attempting to place Fields under arrest, with a second officer assisting.
Seven days after the incident, the city has neither released the officer’s body camera video nor the officer’s identity. And no criminal charges have been filed against Fields, although some claim that police arrived after receiving a call that Fields had “exposed himself.”
Damar Fields is well known in Peekskill. Most people view him as a non-threatening person who stays with friends or in a shelter. He did not deserve the vicious police beating. Those who know him describe him as kind, thoughtful, and cheerful.
Fields was recently arrested in September for drug possession and has mental health challenges.
The witness, who has not been identified, took the video and shared it with Peekskill activist Darell Davis. Davis has been in contact with Damar Fields and his mother, who has been interviewed on several NYC TV news channels.
Comments from the witness who recorded the video include, “I saw the officer pull into the Riverfront and park. I was parked in the circle. The tasers put him down-he was already tasered twice before I started recording -and kicked- that’s what spurred me to record -he never once raised his hands towards the cops-he only covered up in defense.”
Davis has been calling for the release of the bodycam footage, the officer’s name, and the charges against Fields. All are reasonable, a week later, none have not been released.
The Peekskill PBA released a statement unequivocally supporting the officer’s actions.
“The Peekskill PBA looks forward to a professional and independent investigation into the facts and circumstances surrounding this matter. That investigation will reveal that the Peekskill patrol officer was directed by concerned citizens to the Riverfront Green Park due to the frightening behavior of a male by the gazebo. Once located, the officer observed the male fully exposed with his pants pulled down. The male refused to follow the officers’ legal commands to comply and aggressively approached them, making irrational statements. It was clear to the officer that the male, who was apparently high on narcotics and was known to the officer due to his frequent problematic behavior, was a threat both to himself and the parkgoers. When the officer attempted to take the male into custody, he resisted violently and continued to act irrationally. The officer used only the force necessary to effect the arrest. Indeed, the male was only fully restrained when several other officers arrived and assisted in the arrest.
“Once again, and predictably, individuals who are ignorant of the totality of facts surrounding this arrest have accused our police officer of misconduct. One of the most challenging tasks a police officer faces is placing a violent, resisting individual under arrest. It may be “hard to watch”, but it takes force to overcome violence, and bravery to confront danger.
“The Peekskill PBA offers its unequivocal support to the officer involved, and all of the women and men of the Peekskill Police Department. We remember that no call is ever “routine” and recognize the dangers inherent in policing and the risks faced by the Westchester police community every day. We thank the members of the Peekskill Police Department – and all of the police departments throughout the County – for keeping our neighborhoods and families safe.”
Davis, who has become a spokesperson for Damar Fields and his mother, responded to the PBA with, “An honest investigation doesn’t start with defending the officers. It starts with releasing the footage, confirming the facts, and letting the community see what happened. Anything less is a cover-up dressed up as a procedure.
“So I’m saying this directly to the Peekskill PBA: stop talking about investigations and start showing the evidence. Stop telling us to wait and start proving your officers did what you claim. If your story is solid, the video should back it up. If it doesn’t, that’s exactly why you’re keeping it buried. The community doesn’t want another polished statement. We want the truth,” said Davis.
If the officer’s body camera corroborates the PBA’s claims, the attempted arrest of Fields could be justified. But the force used by this cop will be much harder to explain if and when this officer is charged with a crime. “The officer used only the force necessary to effect the arrest,” from the PBA statement, is the rationale that will be used to defend the force used.
But just like a photograph, a video is worth a thousand words. (Arthur Brisbane-The phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words” is commonly attributed to Arthur Brisbane, a newspaper editor who used it in a 1911 article)
“I don’t care if this guy is a mass murderer. You had him tased, helpless, and you pounced on him, and that’s not your job,” said Davis.
Field’s mother, Barbara Simpson, said on TV, “Indeed, the male [on the ground] was only fully restrained when several other officers arrived and assisted in the arrest. “To treat another human being like this, his job needs to be taken.”
The City of Peekskill and Mayor Vivian McKenzie released a statement, which included, “We recognize that the cell phone video capturing part of the arrest has raised significant concern, and we want the public to know that we take this matter extremely seriously. The video is troubling and raises serious questions about what transpired — specifically regarding the officer’s conduct and use of force. This incident is under active investigation to determine all relevant facts and circumstances. The officer has been placed on administrative leave while this matter is under review. Anyone with additional information, including video or witness accounts, to come forward. Please contact Lt. Adam Renwick at 914-862-1406 or by email at arenwick@peekskillpolice.com.”
Police Chief Renwick said, “After reviewing the initial body camera footage, I made the decision to formally refer the incident to the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office for an independent investigation. I did this because the video circulating on social media raised legitimate questions about the use of force, and it was essential that all aspects of the incident be investigated fully and impartially. Our department is fully cooperating with that review and has provided all available evidence, including body-worn camera footage, reports, and witness statements.”
“Let me be very clear: I am committed to a complete and thorough review of all evidence in this case. When that process concludes, I will take whatever actions are appropriate based on the findings. Professionalism and accountability have been core principles throughout my career in law enforcement, and they continue to guide every decision I make.
“I have no hesitation in holding officers accountable for their actions and ensuring that corrective measures and training are applied when necessary.
“Finally, I caution both our officers and the community against drawing conclusions from a limited pool of information, such as a single video or even a partial set of evidence not yet reviewed in its entirety.” Said Chief Renwick.
The use of force by police officers is guided by the U.S. Supreme Court’s “objective reasonableness” standard in Graham v. Connor (1989), which evaluates force based on the totality of the circumstances, including the severity of the crime, whether the suspect poses an immediate threat, and any resistance or attempts at evasion. It emphasizes de-escalation, proportionality, and the sanctity of human life.
Key Principles of the Model Policy:
Reasonableness and Proportionality: Officers may use only the force that is objectively reasonable to achieve a lawful objective, such as making an arrest or self-defense. Force must be reduced as the situation de-escalates.
De-Escalation Requirement: Officers are required to use de-escalation techniques (e.g., verbal commands, time/distance, or calling for backup) when feasible before resorting to force.
Use of Force Continuum: Force options escalate based on threat level, from presence and verbal control to physical tactics, tasers, impact weapons, and deadly force as a last resort.
This is the standard the Police Officer involved must meet. While this newspaper and its editor usually stand with the police, in this incident the officer’s rage does not meet the standard of police service that the people of Westchester demand.
What was Lamar Fields doing that warranted this use of force? The police can and will argue that he was resisting arrest during the takedown, tasing, and kicking. Most will disagree, but that will be the argument.
Did he have a weapon? Did he threaten the officer? The video only shows that Fields did not respond to a repeated call to “Get Your F*&^@ Face on the Ground.”
Frequently and unfortunately, these types of incidents result in the severe injury or death of the police officer or the person arrested. Thankfully, this was not the case.
A Rally will be held on Saturday, December 13, at the Gazebo at Peekskill Riverfront Park at 1pm.
Many elected officials and local media have not been as vocal as many in the Peekskill community hoped. This may be due to delays in obtaining body-cam footage, the officer’s ID, and any charges against Fields.
But Davis says that the video clip is enough. “The police know him. They call him by name. They’ve had interactions with him. They know he has mental health challenges. At any point, they could have just backed up.”
Editor’s Note: We attempted to work on a GoFundMe page for Damar and his mother, but were unsuccessful. Anyone with the ability to do so can reach us at dmurphy@risingmediagroup.com.
