Two Boston police officers have been placed on paid leave while officials investigate an alleged altercation that one of them had with a clerk at a convenience store located near their district station in Hyde Park.
Cheryl Fiandaca, a police spokeswoman, said in a statement Wednesday that the “incident involving a physical altercation†between an officer and a male clerk occurred Tuesday at about 12:45 a.m. at a Tedeschi Food Shops store at 1187 Hyde Park Ave.
“A second officer, who was present during the altercation, but took no action to intervene, is also being investigated in connection with the incident,†Fiandaca said.
She did not identify the officers, who are both men, citing the pending review. She also did not say what touched off the dispute, which occurred while they were on duty, or if anyone was injured.
Thomas Drechsler, a lawyer for the officers’ union, declined to comment except to say that he was aware of the investigation.
“I really have to let that run its course,†he said.
Fiandaca said both officers work out of District E-18. The district station is located at 1249 Hyde Park Ave.
“Internal Affairs has opened an investigation into the matter,†Fiandaca said. “Boston Police have also referred the case to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.â€
Jake Wark, a spokesman for District Attorney Daniel F. Conley, said prosecutors “understand that there is videotape†of the incident from the store’s surveillance system.
“We have not had a chance to review it, but the allegations, if true, are deeply disturbing,†Wark said.
No arrests had been made as of Wednesday evening.
A worker at the store referred questions to the chain’s corporate headquarters in Rockland. Company representatives did not respond to inquires.
Travis Andersen can be reached at tandersen@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @TAGlobe.
