Baltimore City Officer Suspended On Allegations Of Excessive Force
BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- A city police officer is suspended for allegedly using excessive force on a suspect in their custody.
Christie Ileto has more on the incident being investigated by top brass.
Sky Eye Chopper 13 caught the aftermath of a car crash Baltimore City police say started as a pursuit on Belair Road on Monday evening.
"During the course, the vehicle went off the road and collided," said Deputy Commissioner Jerry Rodriguez.
Members of the regional auto theft task force were trying to stop a car they believed to be stolen.
"By the time I got the corner, a little young dude, a teenager, was laying on the ground," said a witness.
Baltimore City police say it wasn't the pursuit of the young driver, but what happened after he crashed into an auto car lot that had top brass concerned.
"They threw him on the ground, and it looked like the other police smacked him," a witness said.
"The message is clear. We will not tolerate officers breaking the law in order to enforce the law," Rodriguez said.
Police brass say the alleged assault occurred after the juvenile was on the ground.
And rather than a citizen filing a complaint, Rodriguez says police initiated the investigation themselves.
"While the age of the individual certainly gives us concern, we want everyone to be treated fairly and professionally," Rodriguez said.
City police have policies that allow them to use force and instruct them when it's appropriate to initiate a pursuit. But Rodriguez couldn't tell us at this point if any rules had been broken.
This case is under investigation.
Police have not been able to confirm the age of the driver or his name.
The department says not only will they investigate the officer allegedly involved, but his supervisor's actions as well.
