A former Fort Pierce Police officer could face criminal charges after he removed his body camera and punched a person in the face, causing a serious injury.
According to the Fort Pierce Police Department (FFPD), on March 26 at about 2 a.m., former officer J V responded to Avenue L after receiving reports of a man, identified as S H, causing a disturbance. According to an arrest report against the suspect, he was involved in a fight with another man, which led to 911 being called. As officers attempted to detain H, he began to resist without violence by tensing up and bracing his arms in front of him.
As V handcuffed H and escorted him to the police vehicle, the man headbutted V, causing a laceration to his lip, police say.
Police say other officers on the scene took custody of the man, escorting him to the vehicle. Once the suspect was placed in the rear, police said, V removed his body-worn camera and punched the suspect in his face.
V was immediately relieved of duty, the police department says. The officer’s actions were sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for investigation of possible criminal charges and an internal affairs investigation.
Before both investigations could be completed, Officer V submitted his resignation, according to the news release.
“The Fort Pierce Police Department holds its officers to the highest professional and ethical standards. I am extremely proud of the officers that intervened and reported this incident. The actions of this individual are not representative of the dedicated men and women of the Fort Pierce Police Department, who work tirelessly to serve and protect our community with integrity, professionalism, and respect for the law,” said Chief Diane Hobley-Burney.
M M worked in FDLE as a member of the Alcohol Testing Program under the authority of the state Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) commission, which is an area that does police officer certifications. He said it’s possible the state will also review V’s certificate.
“FDLE issues those to individuals when they meet the minimum requirements to be a police officers that they can carry agency to agency, but FDLE’s Standards and Training can suspect or revoke those. That is designed to provide well-being for the community to ensure bad cops aren’t jumping from agency to agency,” M told CBS12 News Tuesday night.
The incident is still under investigation.
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Source: cbs12
