The City of Saratoga Springs has settled a lawsuit with a motorist who was pepper sprayed by a policeman after he gave the officer the middle finger.
The videotaped confrontation between Adam Rupeka and former Saratoga Springs police officer Nathan Baker triggered an internal investigation after it surfaced online. On Thursday the city released video that also shows Baker threatening to use a taser on a handcuffed Rupeka at the police station.
Police chief Greg Veitch said all parties involved have agreed on a settlement and said he was disappointed in Baker’s behavior.
“Obviously we want our officers to behave professionally and use force appropriately. In this case it was something we thought required termination or separation from the police department,” said Veitch.
Baker was suspended without pay after the May 16th incident. He later resigned from the force.
