KUSA — A sergeant with the Denver Police Department was charged Wednesday with second-degree assault in the wake of an August incident where investigators allege that he struck a teenage suspect several times with a metal police baton, leaving him with fractures to his leg and a broken nose.
Sgt. Joseph Rodarte was arrested on Oct. 18. He's due in court for an advisement on Oct. 29. The use of force incident that prompted the charges happened while he was on-duty on Aug. 22, according to a news release from the Denver Police Department.
Rodarte is currently suspended without pay pending the outcome of the criminal case. He has a history of disciplinary issues at DPD, including at least three instances last year that led to suspensions during his 24 years in the force.
In a statement to the media, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said he is “deeply concerned” about the incident and is reaching out to the victim’s family. He identified the victim as a teenager.
“Our city takes all incidents of alleged police misconduct very seriously,” Hancock’s statement reads. “I, along with the Department of Safety and the Denver Police Department, are committed to cooperating fully with the District Attorney’s Office in its investigation. This is a matter of significant public concern and I am monitoring all developments closely.”
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by 9NEWS on Friday afternoon, on Aug. 22, Rodarte and three other officers were dispatched to the 1700 block of Pecos Street after receiving a report that there was a male in the area yelling obscenities.
This prompted a search for the suspect, who was apparently walking in the street near West Evans Avenue and South Platte River Drive. At the same time, the affidavit said officers received additional calls saying there was a man chasing another man with a gun near West Warren Avenue and South Kalamath Street.
According to the affidavit, Rodarte learned through talking with witnesses the suspect was having a manic episode.
Rodarte later saw the suspect in the 2200 block of South Jason Street, and got out of his car. When the suspect approached Rodarte and another officer, the affidavit said he pushed the other officer from behind and fled into a nearby open lot.
The affidavit said officers chased the teen into a business listed as Eddie’s Auto Repair, and that he turned around and ran toward the officers.
One of the officers, according to the affidavit, tripped the teen to keep him from getting away.
The affidavit said Rodarte then approached him and struck him six times with his metal police baton, hitting him once in the upper face, once in the middle back, once on the upper right leg, once on the lower right leg, once on the lower left leg, and once on the upper left leg.
The victim needed several stitches above his right eye, had a broken nose, and fractured his tibia and fibula, the affidavit said.
