For many, the incident is a clear example of excessive force. But what led up to that encounter is unclear, and that context will be key as federal, state and local agencies investigate, law enforcement experts told USA TODAY.
Three officers in Arkansas have been suspended with pay after a video went viral showing them beating a suspect.For about 30 seconds, a bystander records a video as three officers punch, strike and knee a man while struggling to arrest him outside an Arkansas convenience store. The video ends after one of the officers looks up at the camera, points a finger and appears to tell the person to stop filming.
Alpert said if a suspect is reaching for a weapon use of force would be reasonable. But as soon as a suspect is under control, Alpert said force is no longer justified, even if an officer is injured."With three officers and so many other opportunities, the strike to the head just doesn't seem justified based on what the video shows," he said.
Sheriff Jimmy Damante said Worcester handed over a weapon to officers but became violent. As officers struck him,a bystander in a nearby car began recording the video. It was shared online and quickly garnered outrage. More recently, the Justice Department decided not to charge the officers involved in the high-profile deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner and Tamir Rice.
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