WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) – A veteran member of the Watertown Police Department has been arrested by New York State Police.
In a press release from the department, 57-year-old Lieutenant James Spencer Jr. was arrested by state troopers on Thursday morning. He was slated to appear in Watertown City Court at 11 a.m.
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The arrest stems from an alleged incident on the morning of September 24 involving a use-of-force occurrence at the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building involving a male juvenile.
According to State Police, the investigation determined that the juvenile’s guardian drove to the Jefferson County Public Safety Building to have an officer speak with the juvenile. The juvenile refused to enter the building and ran into nearby bushes.
Two Watertown Police Department officers and a Jefferson County Detective made contact with the juvenile and began escorting him toward the building while holding his hands.
The released added that “as Spencer approached to assist, the juvenile kicked off one of his shoes, striking Spencer near the groin. Spencer then used force to place the juvenile on the ground to handcuff him. The juvenile was subsequently brought to the front of the building and released back to his legal guardian.
Spencer was charged with second-degree harassment and endangering the welfare of a child.
The arrest occurred at the state police station in Watertown and was based on a criminal summons issued by the City of Watertown Court.
Watertown Police stated that “the Watertown Police Department takes allegations of misconduct seriously and investigates them fully. In an effort to maintain our agency’s integrity and the trust of the people we serve, we will continue to fully investigate any allegations of misconduct and ensure that appropriate disciplinary measures are taken.”
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