CALIFORNIA, Pa. —
A police chief in Washington
County has suspended one of his officers after he viewed surveillance video
allegedly showing the officer abusing a handcuffed suspect.
California Boro Police Chief Rick
Encapera said he felt he had to report the actions of Officer Justin Shultz.
According to Encapera, the
video showed Shultz assaulting a handcuffed man, Adam Logan, who was simply
sitting on a bench after getting arrested for an alleged purse snatching.
“He grabbed the detainee, shook
him, threw him against the wall and then the floor. You could tell by the guy’s
face he caused substantial pain,” Encapera said.
Encapera said in his police
report that Shultz, 29, defended his actions.
“He said he was attempting to
calm down a prisoner who was unruly and aggressive. I didn’t see that in the
video,” Encapera said. “I couldn’t live with myself if I let this go without
any action.”
Channel 11’s Cara Sapida
reported Shultz has been placed on leave while the district attorney’s office
investigates.
Shultz was previously placed on
leave in May after a number of complaints were filed against him for using
excessive force.