Belmar Police Release Body Cam Video, Surfer Refused To Provide ID

BELMAR, NJ — Belmar Police now released the police-worn body camera footage that shows how the controversial interaction started Tuesday afternoon between a Belmar police officer and a surfer, which stemmed from the surfer not displaying a beach badge when police asked.

The police officer, identified as Ryan Braswell, put the surfer, Liam Mahoney, 28, of California, in a chokehold and pushed him down into the sand. This video, which shows the second half of their encounter, is drawing widespread outcry on social media, with many members of the public alleging police brutality.

"I would like to provide the community with some additional context regarding the arrest made on the Belmar beach on Tuesday August 20," said Belmar Police Chief Tina Scott.

The police chief said that in the past week, the town of Belmar has received multiple complaints about surfers entering the beach across the dunes, and refusing to show beach badges when Belmar beach attendants asked. She said the officer in question that day, Braswell, had specifically been asked to check surfers and others for daily and seasonal beach badges.

"The subject, later identified as Liam Mahoney, was approached by officers and when asked for his badge, he replied 'I do not need one,'" said the police chief. "Officer Braswell then advised the specific state and local laws that require Mr. Mahoney to have a badge, and he is not exempt. Officer Braswell then asked Mr. Mahoney for his identification in order to issue him a summons. Mr. Mahoney again refused to give his information and began to walk away."

She said the police officer then told Mahoney he was not free to leave, but Mahoney continued to walk away and Braswell followed him. Officer Braswell then advised him that he would be placed under arrest if he did not cooperate. Once he caught up with him, the officer asked Mahoney multiple times to drop his surfboard, which he refused, according to the body camera video.

"Officer Braswell then removed the surfboard from Mr. Mahoney so that he can be placed under arrest," said Scott. "Mr. Mahoney was told approximately nine to ten times to place his hands behind his back, but he continued to resist, preventing Officer Braswell from handcuffing him. Officer Braswell continued to speak with Mr. Mahoney to try to de-escalate the situation and avoid additional physical contact. Mr. Mahoney continued to not cooperate with Officer Braswell who then took him to the ground to gain control of his arms in order to place him under arrest."

Here is video from the officer's body camera that shows the encounter:

Do surfers need beach badges?

Some people are asking this, and they say the NJ law is unclear on this point.

Yes, they do, said Belmar Police Chief Scott. The surfer appeared to argue that he did not need a badge because he was not technically on the beach; he was only walking across the beach to get to the ocean.

Chief Scott said state law (N.J.S.A. 40:61-22.20) enables any NJ town that borders the Atlantic Ocean to charge the public for beach access, which towns use to pay for lifeguards, beach facilities and beach cleaning.

"Surfers are not the subject of the exceptions," she said.

Mahoney was placed under arrest and charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and obstruction of justice. He was also issued a borough ordinance violation for not having a beach badge.

"To be clear, Mr. Mahoney was not arrested for not having a beach badge," said the police chief. "He was arrested because he obstructed the officer’s investigation by refusing to give his identification or pedigree information. Mr. Mahoney was also advised he was not free to leave and continued to walk away during this encounter."

The police chief said her department is continuing to review the arrest to see if it was done under the New Jersey Attorney General guidelines on police use of force.

Initial Patch report: Belmar Police Put Surfer In Chokehold For Lack Of Beach Badge: Video