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Off-duty officer placed on desk duty after striking man

Posted at 8:10 AM, Oct 17, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-17 15:12:32-04

A Detroit police officer has been placed on administrative duty after he was recorded on cellphone video using a baton to strike a man suspected of shoplifting from a retail store.

Police Chief James Craig said Monday that the 65-year-old officer failed to de-escalate the Oct. 8 confrontation at a Meijer store. The officer was off-duty and working as a security guard.

Craig said he will not seek charges against the 23-year-old man who suffered a broken tooth and bruised face.

Prosecutors are reviewing the case for possible excessive force use by the officer.

Attorney Geoffrey Fieger has filed a lawsuit on behalf of David Bivins against the Meijer Corp., the officer and other security guards at the store.

The Associated Press left messages Monday evening seeking comment from Meijer.