An Alabama police officer was placed on leave as authorities investigate a weekend arrest in the town of Reform.
The incident was caught on camera, and showed a Black man being detained by a white female officer from the Reform Police Department.
She told him to "stand up" after handcuffing him, then motioned for him to lie face down on the front of a car, which he did. The cop searched his pockets while holding a stun gun on his back.
After she told him to stay still, he responded, "I ain't doing sh*t, bro. I got a gun right there."
She removed his gun and slid it across the hood of the car, then told him to "shut the (expletive) up" and shot the stun gun straight into his back.
The man started to cry and yell, "Oh my God."
The officer said, "Do you want it again?" As the man cried, she said, "Shut your b*tch ass up."
The video quickly spread across social media.
In a statement released on Monday, Reform police Chief Richard Black and Mayor Melody Davis said they were aware of the footage.
"The department is in the process of turning over all materials related to this arrest to the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation and has requested a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrest."
@al.comnews An Alabama police officer is on leave while authorities investigate a weekend arrest captured on video in Reform showing a handcuffed man being hit with a stun gun. The officer is from the Reform Police Department in Pickens County. Reform police Chief Richard Black and Mayor Melody acknowledged they are aware of the video involving a “citizen’s arrest” that took place on Saturday. Police and city officials referred questions about the arrest to 24th Judicial Circuit District Attorney Andy Hamlin. Hamlin said the man was arrested on a trafficking fentanyl charge, allegedly. Video provided by Jalexis Monea Rice. #news #copstiktok #arrest
People were horrified by the video.
Several folks called for the officer's arrest.
They said the case should be a slam dunk, as it was recorded.
People were infuriated by her confidence.
In fact, her behavior seemed practiced.
Others were not so optimistic about the chances for justice in this case.
Someone nodded to the history of police in the South.
People questioned the police's "mostly good" narrative.
Further questions about the case should be directed to 24th Judicial Circuit District Attorney Andy Hamlin, the police department said.
