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APS police officer placed on leave for allegedly spraying a freshman with Mace
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An Albuquerque Public Schools police officer has been placed on leave for allegedly spraying a student with Mace and handcuffing him earlier this month.
On Feb. 16, the officer approached a freshman in the courtyard of Rio Grande High School who was “screaming obscenities” and asked the student to calm down, according to a district news release.
When the student didn’t comply, he was sprayed with Mace and handcuffed.
“I want to personally apologize for the trauma this situation caused,” Superintendent Scott Elder said in the release. “The district’s main focus is the safety and security of all students and staff. It is imperative we meet and support the emotional and physical needs of every student we serve.”
District spokeswoman Monica Armenta said she did not have the officer’s name, couldn’t say how long they’d been with the district police department, and gave no other identifying information on the student.
She also could not say if charges were being filed against the officer. The release said “further action may be taken” if an investigation into the incident finds that the officer’s treatment of the student doesn’t align with acceptable restraint practices.
