Newtown – Police footage released Monday shows the moments Daniel Morris, 40, of New York, punched an officer and put him in a chokehold outside a home on Hanover Road.

Morris was arrested Saturday after an officer responded to the residence for a report of a “physical dispute,” Newtown police said.

The footage shows Officer Barry Hyvarinen approaching Morris in the driveway and instructing him to put his cell phone in his pocket, but Morris refuses and begins backing away.

Hyvarinen is then seen reaching for Morris and telling him he is being detained, leading Morris to punch at the officer and pull him to the ground in a struggle.

Dash and body camera recordings show Morris attempting to place Hyvarinen in a chokehold. After a brief fight, Hyvarinen overpowers Morris and places him in handcuffs.

Morris can be heard telling Hyvarinen he is in pain from a recent hip replacement and asking for medics. He is also heard apologizing to the officer, saying, “I’m sorry,” according to the footage.

Newtown police said both men sustained “minor facial injuries.” Morris was evaluated by medics at the scene, taken to Danbury Hospital, and later cleared.

He was charged with assault on public safety personnel, interfering with an officer/resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct, police said.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download