CRIME

Las Vegas police officer who wore body camera charged with battery in use-of-force case

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Undersheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas police department speaks during a news conference Tuesday, March 17, 2015, in Las Vegas. McMahill was speaking about Las Vegas police officer Richard Scavone who is being charged with misdemeanor battery after a woman was injured when he confronted her with questions about whether she was loitering for prostitution. (AP Photo/John Locher) (The Associated Press)

Undersheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas police department speaks during a news conference, Tuesday, March 17, 2015, in Las Vegas. McMahill was speaking about Las Vegas police officer Richard Scavone who is being charged with misdemeanor battery after a woman was injured when he confronted her with questions about whether she was loitering for prostitution. (AP Photo/John Locher) (The Associated Press)

A veteran Las Vegas police officer who was wearing a body camera on duty is being charged with misdemeanor battery after a woman was injured when he confronted her with questions about whether she was loitering for prostitution.

Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson says in a case filed Tuesday that Officer Richard Scavone used excessive force in the 5 a.m. Jan. 6 scuffle just off the Las Vegas Strip.

Wolfson and police say the body-cam video led to departmental and criminal investigations resulting in the charges.

The video isn't being made public.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas, researcher William Sousa is studying Las Vegas police's use of body cameras. He says he's not aware of any other cases where a body-camera video has led to charges against an officer.