Two Seattle police officers are under investigation after a bystander recorded them beating a man with batons at a bus stop last week.
The video, first reported by NBC affiliate KING 5-TV, shows two officers hitting a man with their batons last Friday afternoon. In the 40-second clip, one officer appears to grab the man’s hair before using a knee to pin him down.
The footage does not reveal what happened before the beating began.
Seattle’s Office of Police Accountability, a city watchdog agency, has launched an investigation into the incident.
Interim Police Chief Sue Rahr, who recently took over from former Chief Adrian Diaz, reviewed the video and acknowledged the public’s concern. told by Yahoo
“While OPA is conducting a comprehensive investigation as required by our accountability process, my staff is gathering information, including all available videos, for my review to get a complete picture of the incident,” she said in a statement.
The police department did not immediately respond to inquiries about whether the officers had been placed on administrative leave during the investigation, nor did they provide information about the man’s identity, condition, or whether he was arrested or charged. The Seattle Police Officers Guild also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This investigation comes during a turbulent time for the department. Last week, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced Rahr would replace Diaz, who is facing lawsuits from at least six officers accusing him of discrimination against women and people of color. from USA Today
Deeanthony Marcell, who recorded the video, could not be reached for comment. The video he posted on Instagram has been viewed nearly 15,000 times as of Thursday afternoon. Marcell told KING 5-TV that he was on a bus when he decided to record the incident, believing he was witnessing an injustice.
