Spencer Mom Says Police Officer Should Be Punished For Injuring Her Son

A mother accused a Spencer police officer of using excessive force on her 17-year-old son.

Tuesday, May 26th 2015, 10:46 pm

By: News 9


A mother accused a Spencer police officer of using excessive force on her 17-year-old son.

He's been recovering from a laceration to his forehead as well as cut on his leg.

Joan Sullivan's son Jake actually took full responsibility for what happened earlier this month. But his mother said her son should have never been assaulted, allegedly, by a Spencer police officer.

“He's 17-years-old, and that's a grown man, and he had no business slamming his head into a car and splitting his eye open,” said Joan Sullivan.

On the night of Friday, May 8, Sullivan said her son Jake was at a house party on N.E. 29th Street in Spencer.

According to the police report, police were called because of "screams, shouting, and kids crying in the area."

Spencer, Forest Park, and Nicoma Park officers responded.

“It was just a bunch of mistakes made,” said Sullivan.

The focus quickly turned to Jake Sullivan after the officer asked him to get off the hood of a car and "stand back up with his hands on his head."

“I was in the wrong because I was underage drinking at a party,” said Jake. “He was in the wrong by grabbing me and not realizing what was going on.”

According to the report left by the officer, Jake jerked away and the struggle to get him handcuffed allegedly left him with a laceration over his eye and a gash on the back of his left leg.

There was also body damage allegedly left on the car.

“He was just doing his job,” said Jake. “We were both in the wrong, in my opinion.”

“I don't think he deserves his job if he's going to be doing that to minors, or anybody else,” said Sullivan. “Nobody deserves to be beat on.”

Sullivan said she doesn't condone her son's behavior, but also said he shouldn't have injuries allegedly from an officer.

“He should be punished. He's no better than anybody else on the street,” said Sullivan.

As far as we know, the officer has not been placed on any kind of administrative leave. The interim Spencer police chief is aware of the incident.

We're still waiting to hear back.

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