SB 405
12-07-2006, 05:57 PM
LOS ANGELES, December 7, 2006 - A veteran police officer was arrested Thursday for investigation of assaulting a handcuffed 16-year-old boy in a videotaped attack.
Sean Joseph Meade, 41, was arrested at home and booked at the Pico Rivera sheriff's station for investigation of assault under the color of authority, Police Chief William J. Bratton said. He was held on $10,000 bail.
Bratton also ordered the immediate suspension of the 13-year Los Angeles Police Department veteran, who was relieved of duty Wednesday night.
"My concern was that the officer was engaged in an assault, which I felt was inappropriate," Bratton said at a news conference.
The chief said Meade assaulted a youth who had been arrested about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday in Chinatown for a curfew violation and taken to the Central Station. The teenager was in a juvenile holding cell and did not provoke the attack, the chief said. He declined to provide details of what happened in the cell.
An officer heard a disturbance and alerted the watch commander, who began an investigation, Bratton said.
The alleged attack was partially recorded on a surveillance camera tape that will not be made public because it is part of the department's internal investigation, Bratton said.
The boy was examined at a hospital but had no apparent injuries and remained at Juvenile Hall while police tried to find his guardians, Bratton said.
It was unclear whether Meade had obtained legal counsel, which often is handled by the police union.
"We are not in a position to evaluate the facts of this case at this time. Our legal department will ascertain the facts and will consult with the officer involved," Bob Baker, president of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, said in a statement.
Sean Joseph Meade, 41, was arrested at home and booked at the Pico Rivera sheriff's station for investigation of assault under the color of authority, Police Chief William J. Bratton said. He was held on $10,000 bail.
Bratton also ordered the immediate suspension of the 13-year Los Angeles Police Department veteran, who was relieved of duty Wednesday night.
"My concern was that the officer was engaged in an assault, which I felt was inappropriate," Bratton said at a news conference.
The chief said Meade assaulted a youth who had been arrested about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday in Chinatown for a curfew violation and taken to the Central Station. The teenager was in a juvenile holding cell and did not provoke the attack, the chief said. He declined to provide details of what happened in the cell.
An officer heard a disturbance and alerted the watch commander, who began an investigation, Bratton said.
The alleged attack was partially recorded on a surveillance camera tape that will not be made public because it is part of the department's internal investigation, Bratton said.
The boy was examined at a hospital but had no apparent injuries and remained at Juvenile Hall while police tried to find his guardians, Bratton said.
It was unclear whether Meade had obtained legal counsel, which often is handled by the police union.
"We are not in a position to evaluate the facts of this case at this time. Our legal department will ascertain the facts and will consult with the officer involved," Bob Baker, president of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, said in a statement.