NYPD Officer Charged With Head Stomp

BROOKLYN (CN) – A New York City police officer was charged with assault after allegedly stomping on a man’s head while he was facedown on the ground and being handcuffed by other officer, the Brooklyn district attorney said Tuesday.     Joel Edouard, 37, was charged with third-degree assault, third-degree attempted assault, and official misconduct, Kings County District Attorney Ken Thompson said.     “Police officers put their lives on the line every day to keep us all safe,” Thompson said in a statement. “However, this defendant allegedly stomped on the head of a suspect as he lay on the ground, which is unacceptable for a police officer.”     Edouard was assigned to the 81st Precinct at the time of the incident, July 23, 2014.     After his arraignment Tuesday he was released on his own recognizance. His next court appearance is set for March 24.     If convicted, he could be sentenced to a year in jail.