A white police officer was filmed punching a restrained Black man twelve times while other officers did not stop him on Aug. 8.
After the video of the beating went viral, Washington D.C. Police Chief Robert J. Contee III said on Aug. 9 he was “embarrassed, disturbed, disheartened, and ashamed,” and would refer the incident to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for investigation.
Chief @DCPoliceDept “embarrassed” by video of officer punching suspect. Will refer to US Attorney for investigation. @nbcwashington https://t.co/fk9QPryKG9 pic.twitter.com/jVyPHxo8Yj
— Mark Segraves (@SegravesNBC4) August 9, 2021
WRC-TV journalist Mark Segraves said the officer who threw the punches is on administrative leave pending the Metropolitan Police Department’s internal investigation.
The @DCPoliceDept officer seen repeatedly punching restrained man has been placed on administrative leave, other officers on non contact duty while investigation conducted. @nbcwashington https://t.co/X91Y6qzzwR
— Mark Segraves (@SegravesNBC4) August 9, 2021
WTOP notes: “While a firearm was recovered from the man officers had restrained, the chief said the way it was recovered ‘is not consistent with our training; it’s not consistent with our tactics; it’s not consistent with our policies, with our procedures; it’s certainly not consistent with the values of this agency or my own personal values.'”
Washington City Paper reports. “Other MPD officers present when the man was punched are on ‘no contact’ duty.”
(Sources: Twitter, WTOP, Washington City Paper)