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Investigation Into Arrests Of Black Man, Woman By Ithaca Police Complete

ITHACA, NY (WSKG) - Acting Ithaca Police Chief Dennis Nayor has told WSKG that his department has completed an internal investigation into an April 6 incident on the Ithaca Commons.

Nayor said that details of the investigation can't be shared with the public because of a state law, but did offer an overall conclusion. "We noted some things that could have been done better," he said. "But, nothing was found to have been done that was wrong."

"Everything that was done was in accordance with laws and policies and training, but we looked at ways that we can maybe even improve upon that," Nayor added.

Public criticism of the arrests increased after the release of police body cam footage and nearby security video. They showed a chaotic scene in which police forced two people onto the paved surface of the Ithaca Commons. The officers proceeded to restrain both. The woman is heard sobbing and shouting. At one point, police tased the man. Throughout their arrest nearby bystanders shouted at police.

The woman, Rose de Groat, and the man, Cadji Ferguson, were arrested and charged with resisting arrest, assaulting an officer, disorderly conduct.

Ferguson has maintained that he was defending de Groat from a sexual assault by an older, white man neither know.

Police spoke to the white man they say attacked them. He has not been arrested or charged.

Black Lives Matter Ithaca has called the incident racist policing. They've called for charges to be dropped against Ferguson and de Groat.

Ferguson is due back in court on August 2.