State Watch

Video showing officer with arm around teen’s neck during arrest sparks investigation

by Cameron Jenkins 02/23/21 10:12 AM ET

A video posted to social media showing a Louisiana police officer pinning a 13-year-old boy to the ground with his arm under his neck during an arrest has sparked an investigation.

In the video, which has been circulated on Twitter, an unidentified Baton Rouge, La., police officer is seen on the ground over a young boy with his arm around the boy’s neck. In the background of the video onlookers can be heard saying “He’s a boy, get off of him!” and “You’re choking him,” according to CNN.

The clip also shows the officer then placing the teen in a sitting position and pulling his arms behind his back. The short video does not show what happened leading up to the arrest or after, CNN reported.

Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome (D) said on Monday during a press conference that she had reviewed body camera footage of the incident along with Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul. She said that a decision has yet to be made on whether the officer seen in the video would face any disciplinary action, CNN reported.

The city of Baton Rouge, along with the police department, has petitioned the court to make the bodycam footage available to the public. The family of the boy who is being charged was able to view the footage on Monday, according to CNN.

Ron Haley Jr., a civil rights attorney who is representing the family, told CNN that the complete footage gives a better picture of what happened on Sunday.

“I commend Chief Paul for being consistent when it comes to these critical incidents,” Haley told the news outlet. “It’s been 24 hours and the department has gotten information to the parents and attorneys and we have viewed the video.”

Haley confirmed to CNN that the teen was booked and charged on Sunday, though he has since been released to his family.

“We have worked tirelessly … to close this gap between our police officers and the citizens of our community,” Broome said. “We will not skirt around these issues. I will make sure this is thoroughly investigated.”

Sunday’s incident is currently under investigation to determine if the officer involved violated any policies. He is not currently facing disciplinary action, Paul told CNN.