OfficerBlueNew York, NY – Two Rikers Captains have been suspended after fleeing when another captain was attacked on Thanksgiving.
Captains Ricardo Reimers and Keith Phillip were captured on surveillance video running away when Captain Awais Ghauri was suddenly attacked, according to New York Daily News (video below.)
The two captains had recently been promoted and were still in their probationary period, leaving them likely to get demoted to Correction Officer rank.
The incident happened on Thanksgiving in the Otis Bantum Correctional Center around 2 p.m., according to WABC.
Captain Ghauri was with the two other captains while making rounds in a housing area, when out of nowhere, an inmate attacked him. The captain was punched in the face, which knocked him to the floor. Then the violent gang member got on top of him to continue the assault.
That’s when Captain Ghauri’s fellow captains jumped into action – except the action they took was to run away.
Correction Captains Association President Patrick Ferraiuolo told WABC that this sort of thing was not isloated.
“This captain was not helped – as a matter of fact, staff retreated from the area. Now, you can look at that two ways – you could look at that as just barely being a coward, or you could look at it as staff is just so concerned for their own safety that’s that’s the only thing that’s paramount in their minds,” Captain Ferraiuolo added.
Left to fight by himself, Captain Ghauri started to gain the upper-hand on the convict. That’s when two other inmates jumped in to attack him.
Finally, other corrections staff ran in to help. Captain Ghauri was left with numerous lacerations to his left cheek, the inside of his mouth, and a long laceration on his neck.
Deputy Commissioner of Public Information Peter Thorne released a statement saying:
“We will never tolerate the actions of those who harm our staff and we are working with the Bronx District Attorney to arrest and prosecute any inmate involved in this incident.”
They Corrections Department refused to comment on the suspensions of the captains, citing state law that prevents them from talking about discipline.
You can see video of the incident below: