By By Julianne Hernandez Pacific Daily News

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Guam Police Department officers arrested on Sept. 15 two men, including an off-duty police officer, in connection with an aggravated assault reported in August outside a bar in Hagåtña, according to GPD.

Both men were booked and released the same day.

Francisco Acaban Rasa Jr., a GPD officer, was arrested on charges of assault (mutual combat), public drunkenness, and disorderly conduct.

Kin Cruz Fernandez Jr. was arrested on the same three charges.

According to preliminary information from GPD, the incident took place around 2 a.m. on Aug. 16. Units from the Central Precinct Command responded to a report of an aggravated assault at a bar in Hagåtña.

Officers said an argument between Rasa and Fernandez escalated, and Rasa allegedly struck Fernandez during the altercation. Rasa was off-duty at the time, GPD said.

Detectives interviewed both men at the scene, but neither wished to file a formal complaint, GPD said.

In the morning of Sept. 15, Rasa met with officers at the Central Precinct Command. He was booked and released.

Fernandez met with officers later that afternoon. He was also booked and released.

GPD said it has closed the case and forwarded all information to the Office of the Attorney General for review and disposition.

Rasa also remains a police officer with GPD. Following the incident, an internal affairs investigation was launched. GPD spokesperson Norman Analista confirmed the department followed standard procedures throughout the process.

“An internal investigation was conducted in accordance with department policy. Officer Rasa was placed on administrative leave during that process and has since returned to full duty,” Analista said.