Officer seen striking handcuffed 13-year-old girl charged with assault

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) - A New Jersey police officer who has been captured on body cameras hitting a handcuffed teenage girl has been suspended and charged with assault.

Officer John Flinn, of the Gloucester Township police department, was sent to investigate a reported disturbance March 8 and encountered the 13-year-old girl.

Camden County prosecutors said the juvenile complied with police instructions and allowed Flinn to handcuff her. But prosecutors say he "struck her twice on the side of the face, causing her to cry out in pain."

Prosecutors said his actions were captured on the body cameras of the responding officers.

The 27-year-old Flinn, who has been on the force since 2015, was suspended.

No criminal charges were filed against the juvenile.

The New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association was unavailable for comment Saturday.