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Investigation Launched After Police Officer Hits Woman In The Face

Investigation Launched After Police Officer Hits Woman In The Face

Officials have said the officer has been relieved of his duties

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

An investigation has been launched after a police officer was filmed hitting a woman in the face at Miami International Airport.

A clip showing the incident was shared online by filmmaker Billy Corben and shows two cops wearing face masks while a woman gets irate and starts to shout.

The woman can be heard to say: "'I really should. You black, you acting like you're white but you're really black. What're you going to do?" Before she moves closer towards one of the officers. He then reaches out and smacks the woman in the face, before pushing her to the ground and handcuffing her.

The officer can be heard claiming that the woman headbutted him.

Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo Ramirez, has said he has asked Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle to investigate the incident.

In a series of tweets, he wrote: "I am shocked and angered by a body cam video that i just saw involving one of our officers. I've immediately initiated an investigation and ordered that the involved officers be relieved of duty.

"Actions such as these undermine the hard work that we have invested in our community and causes my heart to break for our community and for the vast majority of our officers who dedicate their lives to serving our county.

"This will not stand, and I assure our community that any officer acting in this vain will be held to account."

According to the Miami Herald, the woman had been complaining about her flight - that had been delayed or missed - prompting a ticket officer to call the police.

Twitter

Steadman Stahl, the president of the Miami-Dade Police Benevolent Association told the Miami Herald he believes the officer used an 'open handed slap' sometimes referred to as 'a diversionary strike'.

He told the news outlet: "Clearly she was the aggressor. She was being asked to leave. She's being belligerent and she pushes her face right into his face."

However, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez took to social media to condemn the 'unnecessary excessive use of force', calling the incident 'appalling' and saying it was 'not what [Miami-Dade police officers] are trained to do'.

He added that an 'investigation is underway' and that all footage will be reviewed.

Featured Image Credit: Twitter

Topics: US News