Los Angeles police officers are investigating an LAPD officer who was seen punching a handcuffed man in a now-viral video, an incident that has sparked requires the officer to be criminally charged.
Authorities mentioned the altercation occurred Sunday within the Southeast police division, which covers 10 sq. miles within the Watts space.
In a quick assertion posted on the social media web site X, the division confirmed that the incident was underneath investigation and mentioned the concerned officer had been “faraway from area duties.” It didn’t identify the officer.
The division mentioned the incident began throughout a visitors cease, however provided no additional particulars about what preceded the punch.
A bystander video posted on-line confirmed two officers fighting a bigger man whose palms are sure behind his again with two pairs of handcuffs, standing subsequent to an LAPD squad automotive. The person didn’t look like fighting the officers and may very well be heard loudly demanding, “What did I do?” simply earlier than one of many officers immediately reaches again and strikes him within the jaw with a punch. The person appeared unfazed by the hit.
The blow drew cries of condemnation from a number of onlookers exterior the digital camera’s body, who could be heard demanding to know why the punch was thrown.
“You’re resisting,” one of many officers is heard saying as they lead the person away.
“No, I’m not,” the person responds.
Because the footage began making the rounds on-line, a coalition of Los Angeles civil rights leaders and organizations started calling for L.A. District Atty. George Gascón to instantly file legal costs in opposition to the unnamed LAPD officer.
“It’s surprising that this officer would assault a handcuffed man who’s already restrained. It’s not resisting. It’s as in the event that they hadn’t discovered something because the Rodney King beating, which can also be videotaped,” mentioned Najee Ali, director of Venture Islamic Hope. “He doesn’t should be on the drive. He deserves to be in handcuffs sitting in a jail cell.”
Ali mentioned the incident occurred within the 1700 block of East 113th Avenue in Watts, a number of blocks east of the Nickerson Gardens housing growth.
