Officer to Face Charges of Excessive Use of Force

An officer who allegedly used excessive force against a transient who failed to heed his orders was charged Monday with two felony counts of excessive force and one count of lying on a police report, Burbank police said.

Officer Daniel L. Shaw, a five-year veteran, has been on administrative leave since Jan. 25. If convicted of all counts, Shaw, 39, faces three years and eight months in state prison, said Sandi Gibbons, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

Burbank Police Chief Thomas Hoefel said the department was “embarrassed and disheartened by the allegations” against Shaw. He added, however, that the incident was “an aberration in a department known for its integrity and professionalism.”

Shaw could not be reached for comment. The charges against the officer stem from a Jan. 19 incident in which Shaw arrested transient Michael Vaughn, 39, for allegedly interfering with Fire Department personnel helping an injured person.

Police said Vaughn suffered bruises but did not require hospitalization. Hoefel said Shaw used excessive force at the scene and later during Vaughn’s booking at the Burbank Jail.

Shaw was also charged with failing to disclose the use of force in his police report.

Burbank police said Shaw was making arrangements through an attorney to turn himself in. No arraignment date has been set.