A video of the incident shows Capt. Stephen J. Gencarella and another officer subduing someone with a knee restraint to the neck, handcuffing them, and then slamming the person’s head to the ground.
Gencarella pleaded not guilty during his court appearance on Thursday. In addition to the criminal assault charge, he was charged last week with violating several standards of police conduct.
The Providence Police Chief Hugh Clements Jr. has recommended that Gencarella be fired. Clements found that Gencarella’s report of the incident did not match the video footage, and that the officer had violated the individual’s civil rights.
Meanwhile, Gencarella is on injury leave. The second officer involved remains on regular duty.
