A Watertown Police Department lieutenant has been arrested following a New York State Police investigation into a use-of-force incident involving a juvenile earlier this fall.
State Police say 57-year-old Lt. James Spencer was taken into custody Thursday and charged with second-degree harassment, a violation, and endangering the welfare of a child, a Class A misdemeanor.
The charges stem from a September 24 incident at the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building. Investigators say the juvenile’s guardian brought him to the building for an officer to speak with him, but the child refused to go inside and ran into nearby bushes. Two Watertown police officers and a Jefferson County detective eventually made contact with him and began escorting him toward the entrance.
According to police, as Spencer approached to assist, the juvenile kicked off a shoe, striking Spencer near the groin. Spencer then used force to bring the juvenile to the ground and handcuff him. The child was later released back to his guardian at the front of the building.
Spencer was arrested at the State Police Watertown barracks on a criminal summons issued by Watertown City Court.
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