[MA] Officer Luong on paid leave for dv assault and battery

...The woman told investigators she “had been engaged in a dating relationship for about four years” with Officer Luong... Officer Luong was arraigned Thursday afternoon in Central District Court on one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon...

OFFICER ON LEAVE AFTER ASSAULT ACCUSATION
GIRLFRIEND SAYS SHE WAS HIT WITH BOTTLE
Worcester Telegram, MA
By Scott J. Croteau
scroteau@telegram.com
November 18, 2008
WORCESTER— A Worcester police officer charged last week in court with hitting his girlfriend with a juice bottle earlier this month was placed on paid administrative leave. Officer David N. Luong, 36, of Blue Bell Road, was arrested Thursday afternoon after the woman reported Officer Luong had struck her with a juice container Nov. 4. “David Luong had assaulted her by throwing an unopened plastic jug of juice at her, striking her on her right arm, causing bruises,” according to a police report filed in Central District Court by Sgt. Vincent F. Gorgoglione of the department’s domestic violence unit. The alleged assault occurred about 10 p.m. Nov. 4 outside 85 Highland St., the report said. The woman told investigators she “had been engaged in a dating relationship for about four years” with Officer Luong, the sergeant’s report said. Police Chief Gary J. Gemme confirmed yesterday Officer Luong was placed on paid administrative after his arrest Thursday. Civil Service regulations require the officer be placed on paid administrative leave during a pending criminal case. The paid status can change if Officer Luong is indicted. “This complaint was brought to the attention of the department, and this department completed a thorough investigation,” Chief Gemme said. “The investigation administratively is ongoing, and the criminal case is pending in district court. When the administrative investigation is completed the appropriate administrative action will be taken.” Officer Luong was arraigned Thursday afternoon in Central District Court on one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He was released on personal recognizance and ordered to stay away from the alleged victim in the case. Officer Luong will return to court Dec. 18. [LINK]

A hint of how things work:

POLICE RECORDS ARRIVE QUICKLY IF CHIEF WANTS
Worcester Telegram, MA
Clive McFarlane
cmcfarlane@telegram.com
Monday, November 17, 2008
[Excerpt] Police Chief Gary J. Gemme is claiming the Telegram & Gazette is being unfair and impatient in its demands that he comply with a records request on one of his officers. The paper’s initial request for this police officer’s records was initiated on April 2. The paper is still waiting for those records, even though the city already has cashed the $1,500 it charged to produce the records. The police chief last week told the paper that he will possibly get around to processing the request in about a month’s time. He didn’t say how long it would take after that to produce the records... [Full article here]