WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- A Winter Haven police officer faces charges after a June incident involving a suspect who suffered a broken femur during an altercation.
- Officer Brandon Boone charged with felony battery
- Ronal Augustin, 35, treated for leg injury after confrontation
- Police Chief reviewed video; Boone now suspended
Officer Brandon Boone was taken into custody Tuesday by the Polk County Sheriff's Office, according to a news release by the Winter Haven Police Department.
He has been charged by the State Attorney's Office with felony battery.
The incident occurred June 23. Police said Ronal Augustin, 35, was taken into custody after a traffic stop in which marijuana was found in his car.
Augustin was placed in a patrol car for transport to the Polk County Jail in Bartow, but Boone was directed by a supervisor to return to the police department to help with transport of another suspect.
Police say Augustin began yelling obscenities at Boone in the vehicle, then continued to "yell his displeasure" when he was taken to a police holding area.
Boone was holding Augustin by the arm and "applied a knee strike to the right buttocks area," police said.
A struggle ensued, and two officers responded to help.
Police said a loud "pop" was heard and that Augustin claimed that his leg was broken.
Augustin was taken for treatment and later had surgery on his leg, according to the news release.
Video of the incident was reviewed by Police Chief Charlie Bird, and the investigation was turned over to the State Attorney.
"Our officers provide excellence in conducting a professional job every day," said Chief Charlie Bird. "I cannot let one person tarnish the good work of the men and women in this organization. If we don't do what's right here, we are no better than the criminals."
Boone, 34, has been suspended without pay. He joined the police department in the fall of 2016.