Ind. police chief says officer should be fired for beating teen during arrest

Ind. police want officer fired for teen’s beating

INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis’ police chief has recommended that an officer be fired for repeatedly striking a 15-year-old boy during an arrest that some black community leaders say was racially motivated.

Police Chief Paul Ciesielski (si’-SEL-skee) said Thursday that Officer Jerry Piland “clearly crossed” a line during the May 16 arrest of Brandon Johnson. He says the white officer struck the biracial teen in the shoulder and head after other officers had subdued him on the ground.

A police merit board will review the firing recommendation.

Ciesielski says Johnson quarreled with officers after they arrested his younger brother for allegedly trying to break into a vacant house. He says Johnson then resisted as officers were arresting him.

Johnson sustained multiple facial wounds.