A former police officer has admitted to using excessive force on a 12-year-old concerning a stolen bike.
Stephen Wassel pleaded guilty Wednesday to a disorderly persons offense and paid a $750 fine. The 47-year-old Hamburg resident retired from the Fair Lawn Police force after the April incident.
The child's mother said her son's friend was stopped after stealing a bike. Police also called for the boy to stop. But Hansel Castillo ran away.
Authorities said the officer grabbed the boy by his head and smashed his face into the pavement.
The boy was never charged in the bike case. A lawyer for the child said he plans to file a lawsuit against Fair Lawn.
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