By David Eck
Enquirer Contributor

FOREST PARK - A police officer remains on paid leave while officials investigate his actions during the arrest of a 17-year-old Forest Park boy last month.

The incident was caught on a digital video system at the Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center. Officials would neither detail what the incident was nor release the tape Friday.

But the tape prompted Forest Park officials to launch an investigation.

Officer Todd Halusek, on the force for six years, was put on leave March 26, a day after the alleged incident occurred, Forest Park Police Chief Kenneth Hughes said Friday.

The mother of the boy has alleged that her son was assaulted by the officer after the boy, whose hands and legs were cuffed, argued with the officer at the detention center.

The mother sent a letter complaining about her son's treatment to Forest Park Police Thursday, Hughes said. The letter was not released.

"It did happen," Hughes said. "The video speaks for itself, and we're acting on our observations. What I did see has enough merit to conduct an investigation into this."

Forest Park officials asked the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office to conduct a separate investigation. That probe is expected to be submitted to the Hamilton County prosecutor's office to determine if the case should be presented to a grand jury, Hughes said.

Both investigations are expected to be completed within the next 10 days, Hughes said.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Mike Allen said his office is reviewing the case and "in all likelihood will take it to the grand jury."

On March 14, Halusek saw the teen driving a car with a torn temporary license tag and pulled him over. Halusek determined the teen did not have permission to be driving the car. Halusek arrested the teen March 25 and charged him with unauthorized use. The boy was taken to the juvenile detention center.

E-mail daveck@fuse.net