Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police have arrested officer Jason Van Aken and charged him with assault inflicting serious injury and simple assault, both of which are misdemeanors.
The charges stem from a criminal investigation into an incident in which Van Aken used excessive force on Terance G. Malachi, who was in custody for carrying a concealed weapon.
On Aug. 14, the victim was in handcuffs and leg shackles in CMPD’s Metro Division interview room when Van Aken allegedly pushed the victim into the wall. Malachi was transported to the hospital and diagnosed with a broken collarbone.
Van Aken has been placed on administrative leave and has had his gun and badge removed while internal investigations continue, including into whether Van Aken is responsible for other incidents involving excessive force.
This article appears in Sep 10-16, 2014.
I am a retired police officer. Dealing with many of the people that you seldom see, but police officers deal with daily is very aggravating. Even when restrained, many of them are combative and aggressive. That is why you cannot hire just anyone to be a police officer. You need people who have extraordinary control of their temper and emotions. Some people apply to police departments because they seek the power that the job implies. Some police departments are not very good at weeding those people out.
This statement is general, and is not meant to apply those labels to any individuals in this article.