Police in Los Angeles launched a probe on Monday into the videotaped beating of a black teenager by white policemen in a scene that recalled the attack on Rodney King that led to riots here 10 years ago.
The incident, that took place on Saturday at a petrol station in the Inglewood area, was captured on video by an amateur cameraman who saw the arrest of the young car passenger from a nearby hotel.
The dramatic film shows a police officer picking up the handcuffed 16-year-old boy and slamming his face down on the hood of a squad car. The officer then punched the youth in the head while he was pinned to the car.
Police then booked the youth, who had been a passenger in a vehicle pulled over on suspicion that its driver was driving on a suspended driver’s license, for allegedly assaulting a police offer.
He was later released following medical treatment, but Inglewood police said Monday that an investigation had been launched into the incident reminiscent of the 1991 beating of black motorist Rodney King.
That beating, which took place after a high speed chase and was captured on video, led to the worst race riots in US history after the policemen accused of assaulting him were acquitted by a mostly white jury in April 1992.
”The incident is being taken very seriously,” said Inglewood police Lieutenant Eve Irvine, describing the tape as ”extremely disturbing.”
Both the Inglewood police department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department have begun formal investigations into the incident, she said.
The officer accused of slamming the youngster down on the car, who has been with the department for three years, has been relieved of his duty and placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Three other officers present during the incident are also under investigation to decide if hey used excessive force. – Sapa-AFP