Billerica cop facing assault charges for 2013 incident

A veteran Billerica police officer is facing assault charges for allegedly kicking a man at the town’s Elks Club in 2013, officials announced Thursday.

John Hickey, 47, a 19-year veteran of the force, faces charges for assault and battery and assault by means of a dangerous weapon — a foot with a shoe on it, police said Thursday afternoon.

The criminal complaint comes after police were made aware of an off-duty incident at the Billerica Elks Club’s bar in 2013, according to authorities. Hickey had been on administrative leave since early 2015.

Hickey also faces administrative charges and may be fired if found responsible, police said.

“These allegations, if true, represent a violation of the public trust,” Billerica PoliceChief Daniel Rosa said in a statement. “This alleged behavior is not what we expect from our public servants. We strive every day to earn the public’s trust, and this case was referred to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office when we learned of it.”