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Worcester Officer Arrested For Allegedly Assaulting Prisoner, Making Racial Remarks

WORCESTER (CBS) – A Worcester police officer was arrested after a complaint that he assaulted a handcuffed man and make racial remarks to the prisoner.

On March 17 police received a complaint from a 48-year-old man who said he was assaulted by an officer while in a cell.

According to the prisoner, the incident took place while he was waiting to be transferred from the Worcester Police Department to the Worcester County District Courthouse for his arraignment on December 1, 2014, around 8 a.m.

"The complainant and witness alleged that during the prisoner release process, the officer made a disparaging remark with respect to the complainant's 'black' skin," Worcester police said on Thursday.

The man alleged that while he was in the holding cell he was forced against a wall, punched, thrown to the floor and kicked. The man was handcuffed and shackled during the alleged assault.

Worcester police conducted an internal investigation, and determined there was probable cause to arrest 50-year-old Officer Michael Motyka, who is a 17-year veteran of the department.

Motyka was charged with assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and a civil rights violation.

Police are continuing the investigation and Motyka has been placed on paid administrative leave.

City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. released a brief statement Thursday night on the situation.

"I want to thank Chief Gemme and the Worcester Police Department for taking this matter seriously and investigating it quickly," he said.

"Worcester will not tolerate this type of alleged behavior."

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