A Utica Police officer has been suspended without pay following a pepper-spray incident that occurred a month ago, according to a statement issued by Mayor Robert Palmieri's office Friday morning. Sgt. Samuel Geddes, the suspended officer, has been with UPD for nearly 19 years, according to police records. 

According to police, officers responded to the 900 block of Bladina Street at 8:30 a.m. on August 23 for a verbal argument between two residents, Melissa Henderson and Jimmy Spratt, that was happening on the sidewalk.

Body-worn police footage showed Henderson admitting to stealing a necklace owned by Spratt.

Sgt. Samuel Geddes allowed Henderson to go into her home to return the necklace, but she threw a different necklace from her second-floor balcony.

Police said Henderson yelled vulgar and homophobic slurs at Geddes and threw a bag of garbage in the direction of another Utica Police officer who was also at the scene.

A verbal argument ensued between Henderson and Geddes, in which police said Geddes made "inappropriate comments" to Henderson and two teenagers, the report stated. 

Body camera footage shows Geddes cursing at Henderson. Video also shows the officer getting a container of pepper spray from his vehicle and then dispensing it in the direction of Henderson and one teenager who was still on the balcony.

Police Chief Mark Williams said the sergeant’s response was disappointing, especially because he’s a supervisor. 

“Unfortunately one of the things we see from time to time — not very often — is that sometimes you can’t control the temperament of the officers,” said Williams. “And the only thing you’re left to do is to discipline and try to retrain. So that’s the position we’re in.”

Geddes eventually left the scene.

The teenager was treated by the Utica Fire Department for exposure to pepper spray shortly after the incident, according to the city's statement.

"While Ms. Henderson’s remarks were egregious and derogatory, the Utica Police Department does not tolerate nor condone Sergeant Geddes’ language or conduct," the city's statement read. "Utica Police Officers receive extensive de-escalation training, and there is an expectation, especially for supervisors, to act in a professional and respectful manner at all times.”

Geddes’ performance evaluation from 2018 says he can “be a little abrasive with members of the public” and “must remain objective and patient during these interviews.” 

This is the second Utica Police officer this month to be suspended without pay for an incident involving alleged unnecessary force. Matthew Felitto was suspended in early September after body footage showed what appeared to be multiple kicks to a suspect's head while restrained in the back of a police transport van.

Chief Williams says officers should be professional, but this is not a culture problem.

“I don’t believe that it is,” said Williams. "What I believe is that this has been one of the most tumultuous years that we’ve ever seen between people frustrated with COVID-19 and the civil unrest we see in the public.”

Geddes reported his use of force, and during the subsequent investigation, policy and procedure violations were noted and city officials were alerted.

The incident is still under internal administrative investigation and has been referred to the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office for review. After the city officials reviewed the body worn footage, Geddes was suspended without pay and the city is seeking termination under the collective bargaining agreement, according to the statement.

On Friday, the city said several officers called out sick or "abandoned their shift" in coordination with their union leadership, allegedly to protest to publicly releasing details of the Geddes investigation. However, late Friday, the Utica police union released its own statement countering the claim, saying "at no time was this a PBA directed activity or sanctioned call out as some have stated."

The Oneida County Sheriff's Department aided in patrolling Utica to make up for the shortage, city leaders said.