A veteran Las Vegas police officer has been suspended and accused of misdemeanor battery after a body camera he was wearing provided evidence that he injured a woman he arrested for littering and loitering for the purpose of prostitution, authorities said Tuesday.
An expert said it might be one of the first cases in which a body camera has led to criminal charges against a police officer.
Officer Richard Scavone, 43, used "not only excessive, but also unreasonable" force in the 5 a.m. Jan. 6 scuffle in a neon-lit industrial area one block west Las Vegas Strip resorts, Clark County Undersheriff Kevin McMahill told reporters outside Las Vegas police headquarters.
"We're not going to shy away from bringing these incidents to light when a body camera captures actions of one of our officers that do not appear to be within the confines of law and policy," McMahill said.
The video, as part of a criminal investigation, won't immediately be made public, he said.
Charges were dropped against the woman, who received what officials termed a minor facial injury when a piece of pierced jewelry was ripped out.
Asked if Scavone could lose his job, McMahill said an internal investigation of the incident wasn't complete.
Scavone, an eight-year police officer, was wearing a camera as part of a pilot program putting the devices on collars and lapels of 200 patrol officers in the 2,400-officer department.
Administrator
