A university police officer was suspended with pay yesterday after being cited for misdemeanor assault by Tucson Police Department officers Tuesday.

A police internal affairs review board will investigate the charges, said Harry Hueston, deputy chief of the University of Arizona Police Department.

Donald Buotte, six-year veteran with UAPD, allegedly knocked down a teenager near the officer's residence Tuesday night after the two got into a verbal confrontation, said Sgt. Eugene Mejia, TPD spokesman.

Buotte reportedly told the youth not to ride his bicycle in the apartment complex, to which the juvenile replied, "Fuck you."

Mejia said when the youth rode away, Buotte gave chase and knocked the teenager to the ground. Both Buotte and a security officer at the complex called police.

Buotte was charged with misdemeanor assault and released at the scene. There were no injuries in the incident.

Because Buotte has been assigned to the Gang Intelligence and Team Enforcement Mission at the Arizona Department of Public Safety since 1995, his investigation will be coordinated by DPS Lt. Timothy Lane, commander of the G.I.T.E.M. task force.

Hueston said internal investigations typically last between five and 30 days.

"I will wait until the internal affairs review board has gathered all the facts and can give me a recommendation," Hueston said.