bayonne police.jpg

Bayonne Police.

(Journal file photo)

The FBI arrested Bayonne Police Officer Domenico Lillo in connection with a police brutality case alleging he beat a city man during an arrest and then falsified police records to conceal it.

Brandon Walsh, who filed a federal lawsuit last November, alleges that after he was arrested and placed in handcuffs in a December 2013 incident, Lillo struck him in the face "numerous times" with a "flashlight or other blunt instrument" while two officers "stood by and did nothing."

Lillo's attorney recently said his client has pleaded not guilty and that he anticipates "a vigorous defense."

Lillo was also one of a handful of Bayonne police officers named in a police brutality lawsuit in 2011 that resulted in a $100,000 settlement.

So what are nj.com readers saying about this recent arrest? Find out below.

Tobu: Police cannot hit a handcuffed man sitting in their car. Period. The use of force is only allowed to subdue a person because it is cops duty to arrest him. Once thjey ahve arrested him and handcuffed, any use of force is criminal offence.

NJLE51: We can't believe everything we read in the papers, but if this is true this guy deserves the punishment. If he hit him prior to being handcuffed, different story.

Bayonne33: YOU HAVE GOOD COPS AND YOU HAVE BAD COPS THIS IS WHAT HAPPEN WHEN BAD COPS THINK THEY ARE ABOVE THE LAW . I give credit to the FBI for taking that next step in prosecuting the guilty party you can't keep getting away with beating and killing people just because you have a gun and a badge . Make example out of this low life you are supposed to protect and serve not kill and abuse citizens case closed.

lipmonster: My gut feeling tells me that the Feds are looking for more than making Officer Lillo the sole sacrificial lamb. ... Prediction: You will see all city officials close ranks and in a way this will bring most of the public safety departments to come closer together and set their internal differences aside.

Remains to be seen if anyone breaks from the ranks.

njfsu2: Hitting a man in retaliation while handcuffed is cowardly and criminal as proven by this disgrace in blues arrest.

crazy_dude: Good job by the feds