Boca Raton PD internal investigation after couple's arrest sparked public concern

BOCA RATON, Fla. (CBS12) — The Boca Raton Police Department initiated an internal affairs investigation into an officer's conduct after body camera footage of an arrest sparked public concern.

Newly released body camera videos are raising some questions about the officer’s actions and handling of a pregnant woman during her arrest that happened last Monday, May 22, just after 11 a.m.

Nerillia Laurent, 24, was arrested on several charges, including resisting an officer without violence. Her boyfriend, Harry Hardy, 30, was arrested for battery on a law enforcement officer.

According to Boca Raton Police Department, it all started when Officer Fowler and Officer McNichol were dispatched to a potential domestic disturbance call near the entrance of the Mobile gas station on 8081 Congress Avenue in Boca Raton. They were investigating to see what happened and if there was a crime, according to police.

The couple told CBS12 News they were having a disagreement after their car broke down with their kids inside.

As police were investigating to see if anyone was at risk, and the fact that the vehicle was parked illegally, officers asked for their identification, but the couple refused.

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Then, things quickly took a turn.

Officer McNichol can be heard in the footage saying, “Stop talking over me. I need your license, ma’am. You give me your license or I will arrest you.”

According to police, after refusing to provide her license several times, the officer [McNichol] removed her from the vehicle by force to place her in handcuffs.

“I may not have given him my I.D. That may have been against the law. One thing I do know is, pregnant or not, just because you don’t give your I.D., you don’t deserve to be thrown on the floor with a knee in your back. You don’t deserve an officer to tell you they don’t care that you’re pregnant,” said Nerillia Laurent. “I want him to know that he really did hurt me, and he really did scar my family.”

In the second body camera footage, Hardy, in the rear seat, is seen getting visibly upset during Laurent's arrest. He gets out of the car.

According to police, Officer Fowler put his hands in front of Hardy’s chest and told him to stop. At that time, Hardy pushed Officer Fowler’s hands away and continued to approach Officer McNichol, arresting his girlfriend.

In the video, you see Hardy taking off running after Officer McNichol took out his taser and yelled, 'Taser, Taser.' As video of the incident shows, Officer Fowler is also seen holding his own taser seconds later during the foot pursuit.

The taser was not discharged, a police spokeswoman told CBS12 News.

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Laurent was later handcuffed and placed in the back of a marked cruiser.

Hardy said he ran because he didn’t know what the officer might do to him.

“There’s ways you could’ve handled that situation differently,” Harry Hardy told CBS12 News. “Don’t be the one to hurt us.”

The couple said they are planning to meet with the police chief next week, as the department continues its investigation.

“I basically want him to never do this to another couple, another person. I don’t want another child to ever be traumatized by him again," said Laurent.

Police Chief Michele Miuccio issued the following statement on social media Thursday:

There is understandable public concern about the May 22 arrest of a woman after we were called to a domestic disturbance alleged to be taking place in and around a car on Congress Avenue. While the responding officers had a duty to identify the people involved and investigate if a crime took place or anyone was at risk, one of our officer’s actions did not help to de-escalate the situation. I take our commitment to professional police service seriously and hold that expectation for all of our personnel in all interactions with the community we serve. An internal affairs investigation has been initiated into the officer’s conduct and it will be thoroughly investigated and appropriately addressed based on the outcome of that investigation. I am committed to maintaining trust and transparency with the community of Boca Raton.

Laurent was charged with Resisting an officer without violence and was also arrested for an active warrant out of Palm Beach County for failure to appear, driving while license canceled, suspended or revoked, and giving a false name upon being arrested or detained. She was also issued a citation for hot having a valid driver's license.