DENVER—A Denver police officer faces assault charges on accusations that he slammed a man’s face to the ground while trying to arrest him.
The Denver district attorney’s office says 32-year-old Michael Cordova is suspected of assaulting 57-year-old John Heaney near Coors Field on the Colorado Rockies’ opening day this year.
Court records say Cordova was in plain clothes but on duty when he saw Heaney ride his bike through a red led and approached him.
Police allege Heaney punched Cordova, but Heaney denies the claim. Prosecutors say Cordova then repeatedly forced Heaney’s face to the ground, fracturing two of his teeth.
Local stations have aired video of the altercation captured by a sports TV crew.
Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson said Cordova is declining to comment. He has been suspended without pay.
Cordova is free on $5,000 bail.
