Galveston police officer suspended

GALVESTON – A Galveston police officer was placed on indefinite suspension without pay for alleged mistreatment of a woman who had requested police assistance, Police Chief Henry Porretto said Tuesday.

Officer Brandon Nelson's suspension resulted from a complaint by a woman he was called to assist on Halloween, Porretto said.

"He went to a call and was basically rude and discourteous and he was loud," he said. "It's a tough deal but you can't be discourteous to the public."

An investigation into the allegations against Nelson is under way and the results will be given to the District Attorney's Office, Porretto said.

Carolyn Wade, 59, filed a complaint accusing Nelson of using profanity, grabbing her and forcibly handcuffing her after she sought police assistance in handling her granddaughter.

Porretto said other officers tried to intervene before a supervisor removed Nelson from the scene and he was placed on administrative leave.