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DC Metro Police Chief Robert Contee has condemned the actions of officers captured in a viral video, in which one White officer is seen punching a Black man in the face several times.
In a press conference regarding the incident, Contee declared:
"I am embarrassed, disturbed, disheartened, and ashamed of what I've seen."
Killmoe News posted the video to their Twitter page.
@DCPoliceDept OFFICER SEEN PUNCHING A GUY IN THE FACE TODAY IN SOUTHEAST DC!!!!! WHERE IS THE WORLD WIDE MEDIA COVE… https://t.co/pXvh0FJ6Y3— Killmoenews (@Killmoenews) 1628476882.0
As reported by the Washington City Paper, the 23-year-old man in question was suspected of possessing a gun.
Yet despite being restrained by two police officers, a third officer is seen punching the young man in the face multiple times.
Twitter followers reacted in horror to the content of the video.
@sleep_whats_tha @Killmoenews1 @DCPoliceDept There was nothing to justify that. That wasn’t even who they were look… https://t.co/DytrqcVQk7— Missy Elliott’s Fingerwaves (@Missy Elliott’s Fingerwaves) 1628491962.0
@Cash_Flow_DMV @Killmoenews1 @DCPoliceDept There were multiple cops on the scene and the dude wasn't attacking. Wha… https://t.co/HZD7vAEcWe— Handsome Kang Variant (@Handsome Kang Variant) 1628522636.0
@Killmoenews1 @DCPoliceDept The dude is being restrained by 3 guys and he still gets punched in the head?? 🤬— Carissa (Character Designer Looking for Work) (@Carissa (Character Designer Looking for Work)) 1628525673.0
@Killmoenews1 @WashProbs @DCPoliceDept Never seen MPD use that amount of force on Proud Boys— William Sharp (@William Sharp) 1628539384.0
@Killmoenews1 @DCPoliceDept Black man being held by 3 cops gets punched in the face. White man with assault rifle w… https://t.co/LZ9wbuTpOQ— David (@David) 1628539921.0
@Killmoenews1 @unsc1325 @DCPoliceDept The children growing up seeing this type kind of occurrence are emotionally harmed. Pure & simple— iamkaren (@iamkaren) 1628528409.0
@Killmoenews1 @DCPoliceDept Abuse of power. Is anyone surprised to see this? His fellow officers see it. They don’… https://t.co/zg3oMjz3vI— Andrew Schneider (@Andrew Schneider) 1628531853.0
@Killmoenews1 @DCPoliceDept When will this stop? What must we do to put an end to this kind of racist brutality?— Karin Barnaby (@Karin Barnaby) 1628549688.0
In an extended video, posted on Snoop Dogg's Instagram page, the situation quickly escalates, with bystanders throwing garbage at the officers in an attempt to stop them.
Towards the end of the extended video, one bystander is heard asking if it is police protocol for an officer to punch a suspect in the face, and one officer is heard responding, "depends on the situation."
But Chief Robert Contee strongly disagreed with that officer's declaration.
A firearm was recovered at the scene of the incident, as reported by NBC 4's Mark Segraves.
Here is picture of gun recovered from suspect. @DCPoliceDept Chief to brief reporters at noon. @nbcwashington… https://t.co/ptUvMDa6JN— Mark Segraves (@Mark Segraves) 1628520412.0
But as reported by WTOP News, Chief Contee made it very clear in the press conference discovering a firearm still didn't justify the actions of the officers in the video.
"This is not the way we train our members to get illegal firearms off the streets."
"Even when we are recovering guns and taking some of our most violent criminals off of our streets, it will be done constitutionally and respectfully. Our standards as police officers are intentionally set high."
Trayon White, a council member in the Ward 8 district of Washington DC, was pleased with Chief Contee's statements, telling WTOP News.
"I do agree that we have to get guns off the street, but we have to do it the right way. And that's not the right way."
"Being transparent and open about what happened is always good for the public."
Other's were less than convinced about the sincerity of Contee's statements.
Regina Pixley, who previously served on the Advisory Neighborhood commission for Ward 8, told WTOP News:
"Hear me clear: I support our police department because we have some great officers every day out there doing their job and going above the call."
"But we have this few who are not used to working in this kind of community who's been getting away with this mess."
Reaction to Contee's press conference was met with equally mixed reactions on Twitter.
@paulcwagner @maustermuhle If you’re embarrassed and ashamed of them they probably shouldn’t be cops anymore right— Lanimal (@Lanimal) 1628529236.0
@MikeMurilloWTOP @WTOP Is he embarrased that they were filmed or by the actions themselves?— Jamie Pastore v9 (@Jamie Pastore v9) 1628526702.0
While Chief Contee declined to name the officers in the video, all of their police privileges have been revoked and are all on "non-contact" duties.
Both the US Attorney's office as well as the Internal Affairs division are currently pursuing investigations, which the police union, who is conducting their own review, says they are in "full cooperation" with.