Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn and Buffalo Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda announce that Buffalo Police Officer Joseph Hassett has been arrested and charged with two counts of Assault in the Third Degree, Official Misconduct and one count of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the Second Degree.

It is alleged on March 18, 2017, the 31-year-old defendant caused physical injury to an individual in his custody at the Buffalo Police Department.

The defendant is also accused of filing a false document related to the incident.

The victim was treated at ECMC.

The defendant will be arraigned in Part 2 of Buffalo City Court on Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at 9:30 a.m.

Assistant District Attorney Nicholas T. Texido is prosecuting the case.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.