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North Las Vegas police officer breaks jaw of person during arrest, report says

Former officer facing multiple charges
Spencer Kinney.jpg
Posted at 4:49 PM, Sep 15, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-15 21:03:56-04

NORTH LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The North Las Vegas Police Department reports former officer Spencer Kinney has been arrested and is facing multiple charges stemming from an incident in April of this year.

Kinney resigned from his position as an officer on June 24, but prior to this fellow officers notified the department they had concerns about Kinney’s actions during an arrest on April 24.

North Las Vegas police: Former officer arrested, facing multiple charges

North Las Vegas police were called to a scene where a person was threatening residents with a pipe that evening.

NLVPD: 1st clip of body-camera footage of arrest

According to an arrest report, the person in question was not complying with officers' commands and a K-9 along with a less-lethal round were used in the arrest.

However, it was determined that officer Kinney struck the person in the face with his knee during the arrest that resulted in a broken jaw for the person in custody.

Kinney's actions were deemed to be unreasonable and unnecessary with the person in custody no longer resisting.

The NLVPD also released body camera video capturing part of the situation.

NLVPD: 2nd clip of body-camera footage of arrest

Kinney resigned before the investigation concluded but the NLVPD said it investigated the incident thoroughly and recommended the following charges against the former officer:

-Battery with substantial bodily harm
-Oppression under color of office
-False report by public officer

Spencer Kinney.jpg
Former North Las Vegas police officer Spencer Kinney booking photo.

The person who was being placed under arrest suffered a broken jaw in the incident. This person was also charged with assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a controlled substance, mistreating a police animal, and resisting a public officer.

An NLVPD spokesperson said the department "denounces any use of excessive force and Kinney’s alleged actions are unacceptable."