New York Cop Faces Assault Charges in Beating of Suspect

By Sarah Harper

Published on February 18, 2009

Officer David London, a 43-year-old New York City police officer, faces charges of assault in the beating of Walter Harvin, 29, a man whom London arrested in 2008.

If convicted, London faces up to seven years in prison. The beating occurred in July 2008 in an Upper West Side building in which Harvin resided. Harvin was attempting to enter the building when police asked him to show identification. When he was unable to procure ID, a shoving match began. Surveillance videos show London pulling Harvin out of an elevator and beating him with a baton up to 20 times. Then, according to reports by Manhattan's District Attorney, London hit and kicked Harvin another eight to ten times before placing him in handcuffs. The DA reports that Harvin did not pose a physical threat to London.

London, a 16-year police veteran with an exemplary record, has been indicted on charges of assault and filing false records. On Wednesday, he pled not-guilty in Supreme Court and was released without bail. The case awaits processing.

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