West Haven police

By Josh Lanier From Daily Voice

A Connecticut police officer is on leave and accused of using excessive force after authorities say he viciously beat a suspect so badly that other officers had to intervene.

West Haven Police Chief Joseph Perno held a news conference on Wednesday, Dec. 3, to share new information in the case against Officer Richard Naccarato, who was arrested on a second-degree assault charge in October. He has been on administrative leave since July.

It all began on July 1 outside JR’s Bar & Grill on Campbell Avenue, where police were called for an "unwanted person" outside the restaurant. Naccarato and another officer responded and attempted to get him to leave.

The unnamed man refused and resisted their instructions to go. Things escalated when Naccarato attempted to put the man in handcuffs, but the man punched the officer in the face, West Haven Chief Perno said.

Naccarato wrestled the man to the ground. The man continued to resist. After Naccarato climbed on top, he rained down 18 punches to the man's head and face, Perno said.

Another officer had to pull Naccarato off the man. That officer reported the incident to his superiors shortly after the encounter, Perno said. The extent of the man's injuries was not released. 

Naccarato told investigators the man attempted to gouge his eyes out, and the officer did have scratches near his left eye and forehead.

Investigators reviewed body camera footage of the incident and found that Naccarato had violated police policy. The department placed him on administrative leave on July 4, Perno said.

Connecticut State Police and the state's attorney's office took over the investigation. Troopers arrested Naccarato at his home on Oct. 24 and charged him with second-degree assault.

Perno said his officers and department took accountability. 

"This incident was a result of self-reporting," he said. "All the evidence was the result of West Haven Police Department presenting it to the court."

An email to the West Haven Police Union was not immediately returned. 

The case remains with state prosecutors. West Haven police have applied to have Naccarato decertified as an officer.