The alleged excessive force resulted in 19 stitches to a boy's left ear and a black eye. The 12-year old claims he was beaten by a Mount Vernon police officer.
The incident happened the night of February 28, 2009 after the boy and two teens allegedly broke into A.B. Davis Middle School. Shortly after the alarm sounded, police responded and quickly apprehended the 12, 13 and 14 year olds. A spokesman for the family says the 12 year old was hit with a nightstick while handcuffed.
"Once a person is cuffed you shouldn't hit him anymore. He's apprehended and he's 12 years old," said added Jones.
Jones put the boy's parents in touch with the mayor's office after he says police refused to let them file a complaint.
Police confirm an internal affairs investigation is now underway. One officer, a sergeant, has been placed on desk duty. His gun and shield have been taken away. In addition, the district attorney's office is also investigating. However, the families are demanding an outside review.
"As an organization, we are asking for an outside investigation of the DA's office for transparency and accountability of the actions of these officers," said Jones.
Jones says the boy was threatened and told to say the injuries were suffered in a fall. It wasn't until his parents received an anonymous call from someone within the police department that they sought to report the incident.
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