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Florida Officer Facing Charges for Homeless Man Slapping

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - A Fort Lauderdale police officer is facing three misdemeanor charges after he was caught on video apparently slapping a homeless man.

Broward County prosecutors said Monday that Officer Victor Ramirez is charged with two counts of battery and with falsifying a police report. He is scheduled to appear in court May 18.

Ramirez, a nine-year veteran, has been on paid administrative leave since shortly after the Feb. 22 incident in which a bystander recorded him slapping the 58-year-old homeless man at Fort Lauderdale's downtown bus terminal. Police said Monday that Ramirez is now suspended without pay.

It wasn't immediately known if Ramirez has a lawyer to speak for him. Ramirez has no previous disciplinary actions on his record.

The incident came after Fort Lauderdale had gained national attention for its ban on feeding the homeless in certain public places.