Officer On Leave Following Alleged Detainee Assault

SPOKANE — A Spokane police officer has been placed on paid administrative leave after he was accused of assaulting a detainee by one of his fellow officers.

The incident happened Friday night after a Spokane Police Department corporal witnessed a hit-and-run collision near Pittsburg and Empire. The corporal gave a brief chase but then handed the pursuit over to the sheriff’s office helicopter.

The fleeing car was spotted again west of the Shadle Park shopping center and the driver – 22-year-old John Luna – rolled the stolen vehicle near Heroy and Driscoll.

Luna took off running and was taken into custody about two blocks later near Hoffman and Driscoll. However once Luna was in custody and in handcuffs the accused officer allegedly assaulted him.

Another officer didn’t feel the use of force was warranted and told their immediate supervisor. Since then, Major Crimes detectives have taken over the investigation into the incident and are looking for evidence of a misdemeanor assault.

After they complete their investigation their findings will be handed over to the prosecutor’s office. The officer, who the Spokane Police Department declined to identify, will remain on paid leave until the investigation is complete.