WARREN POLICE Groups ask mayor to probe use of force

The safety service director intends to make sure the matter is completely investigated.
WARREN -- Two community groups are asking the mayor and the city's safety service director to ensure a full investigation of the latest allegation of excessive force by a police officer.
During a press conference Thursday, Thomas Conley, president and CEO of the Warren-Trumbull Urban League, said his organization and the A. Philip Randolph Institute want the city's two top leaders to make sure there is a full probe of Teandre DeMarco's allegations.
"We intend to make sure the matter is completely investigated," said Doug Franklin, safety service director.
The complaint is being investigated by the department's internal affairs officers with assistance of the law department.
Mayor Michael J. O'Brien could not be reached.
Conley noted that when DeMarco's fiancee called to tell the Police Chief John Mandopoulos what took place, he hung up on her.
"Since the chief is part of this complaint, we want to make sure he is removed from the internal affairs investigation," Conley said.
Conley stressed that "something" needs to change with the Warren Police Department.
"When as the result of a traffic stop, your door is kicked in off its hinges, you sustain an injury needing hospital attention, you receive disrespect over the phone and you pay out money to post a bond of $9,500, it's ridiculous and appalling," Conley said.
Pulled over
According to the arrest report, Sgt. Martin Gargas stopped a vehicle that DeMarco was in for a traffic violation around 2 a.m. March 4. It is unclear from the report if DeMarco was driving or the nature of the alleged offense.
However, a videotape taken from a camera mounted on Gargas' cruiser shows that DeMarco got out of the driver's side door when he pulled into his driveway.
Warren Municipal Court records show DeMarco has been charged with driving under suspension, DUI, assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest. He is due in court March 29.
Gargas said he stopped DeMarco because he went left of center and failed to stop at a stop sign.
On the tape, shortly after the traffic stop, DeMarco went into the house and shut the door, despite orders from Gargas to stop.
Seconds after the door shut, Gargas can been seen on the tape busting down the door.
Once inside the house, Gargas can no longer be seen on the tape but he can be heard screaming on the audio.
"You are under arrest," Gargas is heard saying.
DeMarco can be heard saying his left leg is hurt.
Gargas does not state on the tape that he was hit or complain of any injury.
Several minutes later, other officers arrived and Gargas can been seen escorting a limping DeMarco from the house.
DeMarco was taken to the hospital and given a knee brace.
The U.S. Justice Department began investigating the police department in January after numerous allegations of illegal strip-searches and excessive force by officers.
Justice Department officials from the department will meet with city officials April 4.