NJ Cop Admits To Violating Civil Rights Of Handcuffed Man He Pepper Sprayed

BRIDGETON, NJ – A Bridgeton police officer who pepper-sprayed a handcuffed suspect admitted to violating the individual’s civil rights by using excessive force during an arrest, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said.

John Grier III, 51, of Cedarville, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez in Camden in federal court to a superseding information charging him with one count of violating an individual’s civil rights.

On June 18, 2017, Grier was working as a Bridgeton Police Officer when he was dispatched to the Riggins Gas Station on West Broad Street in Bridgeton. There he arrested the man for driving while under the influence of alcohol.

The man was placed in handcuffs by another officer on scene and was not resisting arrest or posing a threat to Grier or anyone else, according to court documents.

As the other officer walked the man toward a police vehicle, Grier sprayed the suspect, who was still in handcuffs, directly in the face with a crowd control-sized can of oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray, according to court documents. Grier then sprayed the man a second time while he was still in handcuffs.

At the plea hearing on Thursday, Grier agreed that his repeated use of OC spray was unnecessary, unreasonable, and an excessive use of force, in violation of the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution.

“This defendant admitted he broke his oath as a police officer by violating an arrestee’s civil rights. Those who wear the badge have an obligation to protect the civil rights of everyone in our communities, including those who are accused of a crime,” Sellinger said in a statement.

“Using pepper spray on a handcuffed suspect who posed no threat was an unreasonable use of force that violated the law. This office will continue to prioritize the protection of the civil rights for all of New Jersey’s people.”

The violation of civil rights count carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a maximum fine of $100,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 6, 2024.