Accused of using excessive force during an interrogation, trial begins for former MPD detective

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The trial for former Milwaukee police detective Rodolfo Gomez began Monday, February 9th.

48-year-old Gomez faces one count of misconduct in office/excess authority and one count of abuse of residents of penal facilities.

Jury selection in the case got underway on Monday morning.

Gomez is accused of using excessive force on a suspect during an interrogation -- striking the suspect inside the Milwaukee Police Administration Building.

According to a criminal complaint, Gomez was assigned to assist with an investigation into the homicide of an infant. During the investigation process, Gomez initiated an interrogation of a suspect.

During the interrogation, the suspect allegedly began yelling at Gomez. Then, Gomez pushed the suspect into the corner of the interrogation room and punched him in the face and upper body multiple times with a closed fist, according to the complaint.

Gomez is also accused of striking the suspect with his knee.

According to the complaint, Gomez repeatedly told the suspect to stay down and stop resisting. The suspect, whose left hand was handcuffed, never struck Gomez.

During the altercation, another official intervened and separated Gomez and the suspect.

Following the altercation, Gomez returned to the interview room with two other deputies in order to transport the suspect to a holding cell. During this encounter, Gomez allegedly grabbed the suspect’s face in a forcible manner and delivered another knee strike — according to the complaint.

Gomez was a 12-year veteran of the Milwaukee Police Department. He was fired in December 2013.