Police Investigation Leads To Arrest Of Twin Rivers Officer

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz


A Twin Rivers police officer has been charged with four counts of misdemeanor assault under color of authority, according to a press release just issued by the Sacramento Police Department.

In January 2012, the Twin Rivers School Board requested Sacramento Police investigate possible criminal and administrative misconduct of Twin Rivers police officer Branche Smith.

At the conclusion of this investigation, the matter was forwarded to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office for review. Today, June 21, the D.A.’s office charged Smith with four counts of misdemeanor assault under color of authority.

According to a press release issued by the D. A., the Twin Rivers District Police Department had several subjects detained at their station handcuffed to benches on September 17, 2010. When the subjects verbally challenged their detention, Smith reportedly choked two of them and pointed his taser at a third subject, threatening to tase him in the chest.

On May 30, 2011, the release states, Smith reportedly kicked a handcuffed subject in the head while the subject was on the floor at the Sacramento County Main Jail.

According to police, Smith has voluntarily turned himself in. He is currently on unpaid administrative leave with the Twin Rivers Police Department.

If found guilty, each count carries a possible penalty of up to one year in the county jail and a fine of up to $10,000.