Bridgeton Officer Guilty of Excessive Force Violation

John Grier III admits to using unreasonable force on a handcuffed individual during a 2017 arrest.

In a significant development today, Bridgeton police officer, John Grier III, has conceded to infringing upon an individual's civil rights by employing excessive force in an arrest. This revelation was made known by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

John Grier III, a 51-year-old resident of Cedarville, New Jersey, submitted his guilty plea in front of U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez in Camden's federal court. He has been charged with a single count of violating an individual’s civil rights.

U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger remarked on the incident, saying, “This defendant admitted he broke his oath as a police officer by violating an arrestee’s civil rights. 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.”

Adding to the sentiment, FBI – Newark Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy stressed the importance of trust, “The public trusts that when we take our oath as law enforcement to serve and protect, we will respect the gravity of our responsibilities. One bad action erodes the faith people place in us."

Details of the Incident:
Records from the case and in-court declarations elucidate the events leading to the charge. Grier, having been a Bridgeton police officer since August 2004, was well-aware of citizens' rights against unreasonable force. On June 18, 2017, while on duty in uniform, Grier was summoned to the Riggins Gas Station on West Broad Street, Bridgeton, New Jersey. There, he encountered a man who was being arrested for DUI. Despite the man being handcuffed and displaying no signs of resistance or threat, Grier sprayed the arrestee twice with a large can of oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray.

Acknowledging the egregious misuse of force, Grier, during the plea hearing, concurred that his actions contravened the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution.

This civil rights violation could potentially result in a year's imprisonment and a penalty reaching $100,000. The sentencing date has been earmarked for Feb. 6, 2024.

Gratitude was extended by U.S. Attorney Sellinger to the FBI agents in Newark, headed by Special Agent Dennehy, for their rigorous investigation. Acknowledgment was also given to the Internal Affairs Unit of the Bridgeton Police Department, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, and the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office for their invaluable contributions.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason M. Richardson and Lindsey Harteis of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Camden represent the government in this case.