Update: Pocatello police officer charged with assault, video released

A Pocatello police officer is being charged with unnecessary assault by a policeman.

Steven Westfall is being charged in connection to an arrest made on July 10, 2015. According Police Chief Scott Marchand during the arrest Westfall allegedly used unnecessary force to subdue the suspect.

Westfall’s attorney, James Ruchti, said Westfall thought he saw the suspect headbutt another officer. He said Westfall pressed the suspect’s head against the patrol car to subdue him.

Pending a trial in the case, Westfall has been placed on paid administrative leave.

If convicted on the charge, Westfall could be sentenced to one year in prison and given a $5,000 dollar fine.

Marchand also said a full investigation of the department is ongoing but did not say when it would be finished.

Ruchti cautioned against rushing to judgment until Westfall gets his day in court. The incident was captured on a police dashcam.

The man being arrested by the officers in the video is James Rutherford. He was arrested for tresspassing, resisting arrest and obstruction.