Veteran Chicago Officer Charged in Videotaped Beating of Patient in Handcuffs

Video shows the detainee being struck in the face by an officer

A veteran Chicago police officer is facing felony charges after he was allegedly caught on videotape shoving a handcuffed man and punching him repeatedly at a Chicago hospital, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office said Tuesday.

Clauzell Gause, a 40-year-old officer who has served with the Chicago Police Department since 2004, was charged with official misconduct in connection with the incident. His bond was set at $100,000 Tuesday.

Prosecutors allege on June 3, 2014, Gause was assigned to transport a 24-year-old detainee from Roseland Hospital to Jackson Park Hospital, where the detainee was involuntarily committed for a mental health evaluation. While the detainee was being treated in a triage room, he allegedly hit Gause in the face with a closed fist and was ultimately restrained, handcuffed and taken by Gause to a patient observation room.

Video footage obtained by NBC 5 showed an officer identified as Gause shoving the detainee into the room while his hands were handcuffed behind his back. The detainee is pushed into a wall and struck in the face by Gause. He falls on a bed before being struck by Gause two more times.

Medical staff then arrives at the room and Gause leaves.

Defense attorney William Fahy noted Gause has "honorably" served the Chicago Police Department for the past 12 years.

Prosecutors claim the detainee suffered swelling and a laceration to his forehead in the incident.

“The Chicago Police Department has zero tolerance for misconduct or any activity which undermines the integrity of our officers and our efforts to rebuild public trust,” the department said in a statement. “Upon learning of the criminal and administrative investigations, CPD suspended Officer Clauzell Gause in June of 2014 pending the outcome of the IPRA and the State's Attorney's review of these very serious allegations. As we await the judicial process, the officer will remain in an administrative capacity and stripped of his police powers.”

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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