- Police Brutality Watch

After a man said two police officers used excessive force during his arrest, the officers have been removed from their patrol assignments and given desk duty while an internal investigation is conducted. Following allegations of police brutality, two officers were pulled off street duty on Nov. 19 and given desk assignments pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation. The excessive force accusations against Officers Elio Cruz and German Gutierrez were made by Guillermo Cartagena, 25, who was arrested by the pair on Nov. 7 on the street outside a popular South Beach nightclub. The encounter left Cartagena with a broken nose and other injuries, according to his lawyer. The two men normally work as patrol officers on the afternoon shift, but will be working in the police station until the investigation is finished, police said. Hernandez said the two officers were working off-duty as outdoor security for Opium Garden. According to the arrest report, Cartagena became unruly when asked to leave the premises, and club security asked Cruz and Gutierrez for help. According to the arrest report, Cartagena claimed he was a New York City police officer, then swung at the officers, striking Gutierrez in the chest and Cruz in the shoulder. Cruz punched Cartagena in the face, then used a Taser stun gun on Cartagena while he was on the ground because he continued to kick and fight, police said. Among other injuries, Cartagena's nose was broken and multiple teeth were chipped, his lawyer Keith Seltzer said. ' [more]