An unnamed Los Angeles Police Department officer was under suspension Monday after video appeared to capture him punching a carjacking suspect who was handcuffed to a gurney after crashing the vehicle into a wall.
Two suspects were taken into custody after a Saturday afternoon carjacking in the Mission area of the San Fernando Valley that ended with the crash in the city of San Fernando, the LAPD reported.
The suspect is believed to have spit on the officer.
Video taken by a news videographer shows the allegedly offending officer hitting a suspect strapped into a gurney for medical transport.
After the alleged assault, officers can be heard asking for a spit mask to prevent the suspect from spitting again, CBS2 reported.
The officer was sent home and is still being paid pending the outcome of the investigation. He has also had his police powers suspended.
“The images of the video are deeply disturbing and while we must wait for the investigation to be completed, the department will act swiftly in any instance of excessive or unnecessary force,” LAPD Chief Michel Moore said.
