Albany, N.Y. — An Albany police officer has been arrested after an alleged assault at a residence in March.
Officer Luke Deer was charged with felony assault and official misconduct, a misdemeanor, according to the Times Union in Albany. He allegedly hit a man in the face and head during the attack, which authorities said was unjustified.
The attack left the victim with bleeding and bruises, the Times Union said.
Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins said it's possible there are more victims. The investigation is continuing.
Sources told the Times Union a second man was thrown to the ground and kicked by officers. No charges have been filed in connection with that portion of the incident yet, the paper said.
The attack took place after officers responded to a call for loud music. Two other officers have been suspended in connection with the incident.
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said she believes most officers in the department would agree with the arrest and suspensions, according to News 10 in Albany.
“The conduct of some of the officers during that incident on March 16 was not reflective of the elite status that the Albany Police Department has earned in law enforcement circles,” Hawkins added, according to News 10.
All three of the officers who have been charged or suspended so far had their body cameras on, according to The Daily Gazette in Schenectady. A fourth officer may have turned off his body camera during the incident, an action that could lead to discipline.
Police also had access to video from a bystander, which was given to a city employee and sparked a larger investigation, the Gazette said.
The incident began when officers were called to the residence, a location on First Street that has been the source of past loud disturbances, according to the Times Union. The call became confrontational when one officer allegedly kicked in the front door after a man inside refused to open it.
The man was then dragged into the doorway and kicked, sources told the Times Union. A second man standing in the street complaining about what was taking place was charged and knocked to the ground by Deer.
Deer then punched the man while clutching his baton, sources told the Times Union.
Three men were arrested following the incident and charged with inciting a riot, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, obstruction of governmental administration and endangering the welfare of a child. Prosecutors decided to drop the charges, the Times Union said.
Deer, the only officer charged so far, has been a member of the Albany police since 2014. He was arraigned and released and will appear in court again next week.
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