Bodycam release of a Binghamton Police officer being under investigation for excessive force

Binghamton Police officer under investigation for excessive force by the State Attorney General’s Office has been recommended disciplinary action, including potential termination.

New York Attorney General Letitia James released her report Friday afternoon regarding Officer Brad Kaczynski. Stating, “Following a thorough review of the evidence, LEMIO concluded that Officer Kaczynski used excessive force against the arrested person when he knelt on the person’s upper back and neck while he was prone and handcuffed, in violation of BPD’s use of force policy, the New York state model use of force policy, and the New York and U.S. Constitutions.”

Onlookers using their cell phones to record the arrest stated the officer kneeled on the neck of Hamail Waddell as he said he “can’t breathe”. Waddell was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. He later filed a complaint with the Binghamton Police Department.

The Attorney General’s report also concluded that officers did not intervene, Waddell was not properly secured when being transported, and that the initial stages of BPD’s internal affairs investigation were flawed. James also noted Internal Affairs, “did not fully review footage of the event before questioning the officers, and their write-up displayed bias in favor of the officers and treated the arrested person’s version of events with undue skepticism.”

On top of the potential termination of Officer Brad Kaczynski, the report recommends BPD train all staff on the use of force and the duty to intervene, along with updating the agency’s internal affairs policies and procedures.

In a statement, Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham says, “I believe the report fails to accurately portray the full circumstances of the incident. In the coming days, we will be reviewing this report and all surrounding information and intend to conduct a thoughtful, comprehensive, and thorough evaluation of the report.”

Newly released body cam footage provided by the Mayor’s office gives us the first official look at what played out that night.