WRCBtv.com | Chattanooga News, Weather & SportsAttorney Talks After Officer Assaults 13-year-old

Attorney Talks After Officer Assaults 13-year-old

Paul Shahen
Eyewitness Reporter

Chattanooga, Tenn. (WRCB) -- Employees at the Hamilton county detention center say they watched officer Sean O'Brien assault a 13-year old boy Wednesday.  They immediately reported the incident to the police department.  O'Brien was arrested that night.

The boys name has not been released.  His attorney told eyewitness news this case is disturbing, "I know the people in this county are sick and tired of this crime.  Also the people of this county are sick and tired of police officers who think they're above the law."

O'Brien is charged with simple assault for hitting the teen on the head and pushing him against the wall.  Thompson says he commends the dept. for handling it the way they did.

Chattanooga Sgt.  Jerri Weary says, "policemen are people too.  If you violate the rules and the laws.  You have to be dealt with accordingly."

According to Thompson, O'Brien had a clean record with no complaints since joining the force in 2007, "the majority of police officers are very good, competent and honest. However, there are a few police officers, like any other profession there are a few bad apples.  Bottom line is, the video camera caught a bad apple."

Right now officer O'Brien is on leave, without pay.  The internal affairs division is looking into the matter, and they won't release anything until they're done.  We could learn more February 16th, when O'Brien has his first day in court.