Rocklin PD: Officer arrested for using excessive force
Rocklin PD: Officer arrested for using excessive force
ROCKLIN, Calif. (KCRA) —
A Rocklin police officer was arrested Tuesday for using excessive force while arresting a DUI suspect, the police department said.
Officer Brad Alford, a 15-year veteran of the Rocklin Police Department, was taken into custody around 6 p.m. and booked into Placer County Jail on charges of assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily harm, assault under the color of authority and filing a false police report, police said.
The investigation into Alford stems from the arrest of a DUI suspect on Sunday, police said. Officers were in the 5400 block of South Grove Street around 6 a.m. to arrest the suspect.
Police said during the arrest, Alford “used a baton in a manner that appeared to be excessive.”
The officer’s actions were later reported to the police department. Investigators reviewed video footage and then “immediately” reached out to the Placer County District Attorney’s Office to conduct an independent review.
The district attorney’s office determined that Alford’s actions “rose to a criminal level” and decided to press charges against the officer.
Alford, who was on paid administrative leave during the investigation, was arrested Tuesday.
The district attorney’s office will continue the criminal investigation into the case while the Rocklin Police Department will conduct an internal investigation to determine if department policies and procedures were violated.
“This is a sad and unfortunate incident for all of those involved, including the community and our organization,” the Rocklin Police Department said in a news release. “This type of behavior will not be tolerated. As a department, we pride ourselves on working with our community and an incident like this tarnishes the reputation of the hardworking men and women who work here.”
Police Chief Chad Butler said during a news conference Tuesday night video of the incident will not be released per a request by the district attorney's office. The DA's office told Butler the video is part of an ongoing investigation and will not be released to the public at this time.