A federal grand jury has indicted three Buffalo Police officers for violating the civil rights of four teenagers. The charges stem from a May 2009 incident.
U.S. Attorney William Hochul says Lt. Gregory Kwiatkowski, 49, is accused of using excessive and unreasonable force on three of the young men, who had already been placed under arrest and posed no threat.
Officers Raymond Krug, 36, and Joseph Wendel, 37, are accused of shooting one of the young men with a BB gun while he was handcuffed in the back of a patrol car.
"The indictment lastly accuses Kwiatkowski, Wendel and Krug of continuing their use of excessive and unreasonable force once the four suspects got taken to the precinct house in Buffalo," Hochul said, at a morning news conference.
Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda says Lt. Kwiatkowski retired in 2011 and Krug and Wendell were suspended without pay Wednesday morning.
"We will be aggressive in weeding out the few that don't follow the rules. Unfortunately, you'll probably see more to come in the future," Derenda said.
The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
