WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. — Two police officers have been placed on leave pending an investigation into video of an arrest the pair made that surfaced on social media, New Kensington’s police chief confirmed.
The Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office is investigating the video, which appeared on social media Friday afternoon. The video shows a New Kensington police officer and an Arnold police officer standing over a handcuffed man who is lying on the ground.
Some are outraged because they say the officers appear to punch the suspect, stand on his back and put him in a headlock before placing him a police vehicle.
The moments leading up to the arrest, though, are not shown on the video.
New Kensington Police Chief James Klein told Channel 11 News that the suspect was involved in a chase with the officers before his arrest.
“When the officer went to make the traffic stop, the vehicle fled. A small pursuit was initiated, and it ended in the 1200 block of Proctor Alley in the city of New Kensington,” the police chief said.
Klein said the suspect bailed out of his vehicle and took off running.
“As he pulled out of the car, he was seen by an officer from Arnold reaching into his waistband and pulling a gun,” Klein said.
The police chief said the officers tackled the man on Kenneth Way.
The person who posted the video said he heard someone yelling, “I can't breathe.”
Klein said that’s where the video posted online begins.
Authorities said the suspect was not hurt and will face charges for resisting arrest and illegal possession of a gun. Klein said Arnold police will file the charges.
The two officers involved were placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the district attorney’s investigation.
“As a police department we do not condone any type of misconduct by our officers. There's an investigation that's going to be initiated by the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office into the officers’ actions. The facts will be the facts, and we'll be as transparent as possible,” Klein said.
Family members of the man who was arrested in the video said they were advised not to comment.
Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/XCUXZC2XYZHCRGNNGKFEX6U3LQ.png)
