Officer charged in cell assault.

• Author: Foskett, Steven H., Jr.
• Position: Local

Byline: Steven H. Foskett Jr. and Brad Petrishen

WORCESTER -- A Worcester police officer has been arrested after being accused of assaulting a 48-year-old man late last year in the cell room at police headquarters.

Police said in a news release Thursday evening that Officer Michael Motyka, 50, a 17-year department veteran, was arrested Thursday after an internal investigation and placed on paid administrative leave pending a termination hearing.

According to police, the victim filed a complaint March 17 and told investigators in the Police Department's Bureau of Professional Standards that he had been assaulted by Officer Motyka in the cell room while he awaited transfer to the Worcester County Courthouse for arraignment Dec. 1.

The victim and a witness alleged that about 8 a.m. Dec. 1, during the prisoner release process, Officer Motyka made a disparaging remark regarding the victim's skin color, black. The victim further alleged that while he was in the holding cell, handcuffed and shackled, the officer entered the room, forced him against a wall, punched him, threw him to floor and kicked him.

Hector E. Pineiro, a local lawyer who has filed many cases against Worcester police alleging police brutality, confirmed Thursday night that the complainant is his client.

He said he could not yet publicly identify his client, but said the man required medical treatment for his injuries and has a scar near his nose.

Based on the allegations, the Bureau of Professional Standards opened an investigation into the case and found probable cause to charge Officer Motyka, police said. The officer was charged with assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (shod foot), and a civil rights violation.

Police spokesman Sgt. Kerry F. Hazelhurst said the majority of the incident involving Officer Motyka was captured on surveillance video. He said it is evidence in the investigation and will not be released.

"This incident is clearly a blemish on the Worcester Police Department,'' Chief Gary J. Gemme said in a statement. "On behalf of the department, I...