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Brookline detective on leave after allegedly assaulting workers at Disney World
The detective allegedly pushed two security guards and a deputy sheriff after trying to enter a private event at Epcot.
A Brookline police detective is on paid leave after he allegedly assaulted two security guards and a deputy sheriff last week at Walt Disney World in Florida.
Detective Duane Danforth, 38, of Wilmington, was arrested on Jan. 30 following an incident at Disney’s Epcot theme park, according to an Orange County arrest affidavit. He’s facing charges of battery, resisting an officer, and battery on a law enforcement officer.
Boston.com has reached out to Danforth for comment.
According to the affidavit, the altercation began when Danforth tried to enter a private event at Epcot’s United Kingdom Lochside. When a security guard told him he needed to go around, Danforth allegedly began removing the ropes to enter the area. The security guard again tried to redirect Danforth, who angrily yelled “I’m going to f—ing kill you” before removing the ropes and pushing the guard aside, the affidavit said.
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Another guard witnessed the alleged outburst and told authorities that Danforth, who was carrying a young girl, “had a crazy look in his eyes and appeared intoxicated,” according to the affidavit. Danforth allegedly shoved the second guard, as well as a deputy sheriff who tried to speak with him later on.
When the deputy sheriff brought Danforth to the floor and tried to handcuff him, “he attempted to resist and tense up,” according to the affidavit.
“Duane later stated he knew I was working as a Law Enforcement Officer and repeatedly admitted that he should not have pushed me,” the deputy sheriff said in the court document.
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Danforth was released and allowed to return to Massachusetts, though he was ordered to have no contact with the alleged victims, stay away from Epcot, surrender any firearms, and possess no weapons, firearms, or ammunition, according to court documents.
The Brookline Police Department confirmed Danforth was off-duty when the alleged altercation occurred.
“Detective Danforth will remain on leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation into that incident,” the department said in a statement.
Danforth, a U.S. Army veteran, has served on Brookline’s police force for 14 years, according to the Brookline Police Union. In a statement, the union acknowledged the “serious” nature of the allegations and said it is committed to working with the department’s leadership “as a thorough and fair investigation is done.”
Danforth was named the Brookline Police Department’s officer of the year in 2021, with the nominating committee touting his “impressive work history” and describing him as “a proactive, reliable member of our department’s Special Response Team.”
“Despite Detective Danforth’s many years of outstanding service to our country and community, we also recognize that no person is perfect,” the police union said. “We believe that one single instance of alleged misconduct should not overshadow his otherwise exemplary service to Brookline and our country.”
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