Restricted Duty For Officer Accused Of Beating Man
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Detroit's police chief said he has ordered restricted duty for a police officer who is being sued over allegations that he hit a man without reason while escorting him from a casino.
Officer Arthur Dudal was sued in federal court Friday by Patrick Poisson of Livonia. Poisson, 38, was accused of touching a waitress's buttocks July 30 inside a club at MGM Grand Detroit before he was escorted outside.
Poisson claims as he was being escorted out of the casino, he was sucker punched by two Detroit police officers. Police have said that Poisson tried to throw the first punch.
Poisson was charged with assaulting an officer and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. The criminal sexual conduct charge was dropped after the waitress said she didn't want to press charges, and the assault charge was dropped after prosecutors reviewed security video. (Watch video)
"I have ordered that the involved officer be placed on administrative restricted duty no-gun status pending the outcome of the investigation," Chief Ralph Godbee said in an email Tuesday evening.
Godbee said it is police practice "to determine whether the use of force was justified and in accordance with department policy." He said the July 30 incident is "being fully investigated" by the internal affairs unit.
The suit also names Officer Jose Ortiz and the city as defendants.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
