POLICE had to diffuse an angry crowd in 8th Avenue, New Orleans, The City, yesterday after an incident involving a 17-year-old from Chapman Lane and a community police officer.

Two motorcycle officers, two police cars and one unmarked vehicle were dispatched to the area after 4 p.m. when residents surrounded the police post, calling for the dismissal of Constable Anderson Quarless.

According to eyewitnesses, teenager Chad Todd was playing with his friends on Westbury Pasture when he was asked by the officer not to remove garbage cans placed on the pasture.

An altercation ensued and the youngster sustained cuts to the back, which residents claimed were inflicted by a piece of wood with nails.

In minutes, the atmosphere became charged.

Senior Superintendent Morgan Greaves appealed to residents to disperse but to no avail. Using a megaphone, he asked them to keep the peace instead of taking matters into their own hands.

He managed to calm them down somewhat, but they still called for the officer's removal. Greaves told the DAILY NATION a full investigation would be carried out to ascertain the facts surrounding the incident.

Police took Todd to seek medical attention.