A lieutenant at the Porter County Jail was terminated for violating the Porter County Sheriff’s Department’s use of force policy and has been charged with a misdemeanor battery count, officials said.
Cody Brzezinski, 33, of DeMotte, was charged with a Class A misdemeanor battery count, according to a release from Sgt. Ben McFalls, the department’s public information officer. Brzezinski had worked at the jail since 2019.
Porter County Sheriff Jeff Balon said in the release that his administration was made aware of a possible use of force violation in the jail by Bzezinski in January.
According to charging documents, a new arrestee was brought into the jail on Jan. 5 for processing and was “visibly impaired and had an odor of alcoholic beverages.” While attempting to follow an officer, the inmate, who was in wrist restraints, fell and hit his head against the jail administration door.
Brzezinski reported to intake to assist with the inmate, according to the charges, and told investigators he assisted the inmate, who appeared to be highly intoxicated and uncooperative, to his feet. The inmate, Brzezinski told investigators, moved toward him in a way Brzezinski perceived as threatening, so he took the inmate to the ground.
An investigator reviewing surveillance footage said the inmate “appeared to be unconscious” when he was placed in a restraint chair.
Brzezinski “openly admitted that he was never taught or had taught anyone to do a take down while someone was in police custody and handcuffs. And stated that there were no other factors or distractions that led up to the excessive force.”
Brzezinski was immediately placed on administrative leave and an internal affairs investigation began. Days later, Balon said in the release, the investigation concluded “and found Jail Lt. Bzezinski violated our Use of Force policy.”
Brzezinski was immediately terminated as a result of the investigation, Balon said, and all information was forwarded to the Porter County Prosecutor’s Office for review and possible charges.
“We have no further information to release regarding this incident,” McFalls said in the release.
