Body cam footage released in Seaside Police officer excessive force investigation

SEASIDE, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Seaside Police, the city and one of the department's officers are under scrutiny after a civil lawsuit against each entity claims the officer used excessive force and wasn't trained properly.

The civil lawsuit was filed just a week before Seaside Police released body cam footage of the incidents.

Body cam footage of both incidents are linked below: One was still processing on the city's YouTube account as of 6:04 p.m. on September 10, 2024.

KION initially reported on an incident involving the officer, identified as John Crivello back in December of 2023.

Seaside Police identifying the incident where Crivello is seen on video placing his knee on the neck of a subject as Case Number EG2302739.

A separate case where Crivello is pointing a weapon at a subject is labeled by Seaside Police as Case Number: EG2302299.

The civil lawsuit claims Crivello used excessive force when attempting to detain at least two subjects, one of them was a minor.

Video of each incident was provided by viewers showing Crivello pointing his firearm at a subject off-screen. A second incident showed the officer with a knee on the neck of a subject he was detaining.

Community members rallied for the dismissal of the officer that month and staged a protest at a city council meeting.

That night, Police Chief Nick Borges commented on the claims, saying the officer was immediately placed on administrative leave when he heard of the incident.

“We have hired an independent source, who specializes in police misconduct, to investigate this as a third party," said Borges that night.

Chief Borges tells KION now he can't comment on the lawsuit or the progress of the investigation of Crivello.

He said at the moment Crivello is still on paid administrative leave "by law."

KION also asked about claims in the lawsuit that Crivello wasn't properly trained.

Borges said the department has "tightened up our policies that are clear on what an officer can and can't do" in a use of force situation.

He said while the department had strict policies in place prior, the incident itself made it "important to strengthen those policies" and those changes were "done within the same week as [Crivello] was placed on leave back in December."

As for the other claims in the civil lawsuit, attorneys for the plaintiffs claim there was an attempt by the City and Police to cover up the investigation.

It also claims the plaintiffs were falsely imprisoned and calls for a jury trial.

Documents provided by the Monterey County Courthouse are provided below as well as the original story from KION:

Seaside Police Officer on administrative leave due to alleged excessive force on a teenager, police say

A Seaside police officer has been placed on administrative leave after he allegedly using excessive force against a male teenager.

Seaside Police Chief Nick Borges told KION the officer's name involved in the alleged incidents is John Crivello

Borges also told KION that Crivello was involved in another incident involving a minor.

In this photo, you can see Crivello pointing a gun at a 16-year-old boy who is just off camera.

Borges said to KION that while not specific to the case, Borges tells KION it is not an unauthorized tactic.

"Seaside PD believes in our motto, TRUST, and those who engage in any form of misconduct will be held accountable. We value your trust. I value your trust and we will do the right thing," Borges said in statement.