Video Recorded Beating And Banging Suspect's Head On Sidewalk, Arkansas Officer Suspended And Undergoes Investigation
JAKARTA - Three Arkansas, United States (US) law enforcement officers have been suspended after a video showing a suspect pinned to the ground and beaten repeatedly circulated.
One of the officers repeatedly punched the man in the head, even hitting his head against the pavement. Other officers repeatedly used their knees to attack the man. Both wore Crawford County Sheriff's Office uniforms.
A police officer held the man on the ground as this happened. As he was beaten, the man covered his head with his hands and appeared to be trying to roll into a ball to protect himself.
The video has been viewed millions of times on social media and sparked outrage.
One post on Twitter used to mention the case of George Floyd, the black man killed in police 'violent' in 2020, sparked protests around the world.
A woman not seen in the video can be heard saying: "Don't hit him! He needs help."
One officer responded to the woman with expletives, while another ordered her to get into her car.
The person who posted the video online said his sister witnessed the altercation in Mulberry City.
State police identified the arrested man as Randall Worcester, 27. Worcester was accused of making threats at a shop on Sunday morning.
Police said when officers confronted him, he pushed a deputy to the ground and punched him in the back of the head, leading to the arrest seen in the video.
The suspect was taken to hospital and faces terrorist threats, resisting arrest and other assault charges, police said.
On Sunday evening, Crawford County Sheriff Jimmy Damante said two county deputies would be suspended. Meanwhile, the Arkansas state police and their offices are conducting separate investigations into what happened.
"I hold all my members accountable for their actions, and will take appropriate action in this matter," Damante said.
In a statement released late Sunday, Mulberry Police Chief Shannon Gregory said the officer involved in the incident was on leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
"The City of Mulberry and the Mulberry Police Department are taking this investigation very seriously," Gregory said.
Separately, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson said late Sunday on Twitter that "the incident in Crawford County will be investigated based on video evidence and the prosecution's request".
How, after George Floyd, can this happen? Three police officers beating a suspect with so much force. If this wasn't captured on video, these officers would have told a very different story. Crawford sheriff dept ArkansasThis is very bad. pic.twitter.com/c3sILWQwEv
— Michael Gbadebo FRSA (@GbadeboUK) August 22, 2022