PATERSON — The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into a surveillance video that shows several Paterson Police repeatedly kicking a handcuffed suspect during a 2011 arrest.

The video, which was obtained and revealed by The Star-Ledger on Sunday night, shows Alexis Aponte being kicked repeatedly while handcuffed and then dragged down the street by a Paterson cop during an arrest on weapon charges in September 2011, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court late on Friday.

The suit also alleges that another man, Miguel Rivera, said he was similarly beaten while handcuffed, and claims both men were robbed. The confrontation followed a dispute at a bar between Aponte, Rivera and off-duty Paterson Police officer Jose Torres, according to the suit and a police report.

Miguel Rivera displays injuries he claims he sustained while handcuffed and beaten by Paterson police officers during a 2011 arrest.

This morning, a spokesperson for for Acting Paterson Police Chief William Fraher said the case had been referred to the prosecutor's office for further investigation. Calls to the prosecutor's office and Paterson Mayor Jeffery Jones were not immediately returned.

The officers remain on-duty, according to a spokesperson, who declined to comment on whether or not an internal investigation had been launched.

Darren Del Sardo, the attorney representing both men, plans to hold a press conference at his Woodland Park office to discuss the lawsuit this afternoon. Rivera may speak at the press conference.

Following the 2011 incident, Aponte pleaded guilty to a weapon possession charges and remains incarcerated.

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