LA cop reportedly kicked cuffed man’s head like ‘a football player kicking a field goal’

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LA cop reportedly kicked cuffed man’s head like ‘a football player kicking a field goal’

APD officer videotaped kicking restrained suspect in the head
Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images
A Los Angeles police (LAPD) officer is under investigation for allegedly beating and kicking a suspect, who was being held down by other officers. On October 24, 2014, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck released a statement that he was “extremely concerned about this particular use of force.”

The victim, Clinton Alford, 22, was taken to a hospital for stitches and a head scan. In an interview with the LA Times, he reported being in fear for his life during the encounter. “I was just praying that they wouldn’t kill me. I just closed my eyes and tried to hold on,” Alford said.

Alford was riding his bicycle on the sidewalk, when a car pulled up behind him. He heard a man shouting a command to stop, without first identifying himself as a police officer. When someone grabbed the back of his bike, Alford jumped off and ran. After a short foot pursuit, two LAPD officers caught up to him. Footage from the security camera on an industrial building nearby captured Alford voluntarily lying down and placing his hands behind his back.

Several police officials who viewed the recording said that the officers were able to restrain Alford, who made no movements and did not resist. Two law enforcement officials who viewed the video said it was clear to them Alford was handcuffed as soon as he got on the ground.

Shortly thereafter, a patrol car pulled up to the scene. A uniformed LAPD officer, whom the sources described as “heavyset” or “very large,” got out of the car and rushed towards Alford, who was still being held on the ground by the other officers. The newly-arrived officer immediately started stomping and kicking the victim. Then the officer proceeded to drop to the ground and delivered a number of strikes with his elbows to the back of Alford’s head and upper body.

Surveillance camera footage reportedly shows Alford’s head hitting the pavement from the severe force of the strikes. The LAPD officer proceeded to lean one knee into the small of Alford’s back, placing the other knee on the victim’s neck. LA’s finest then started bouncing on the victim’s body with the officer’s full body weight. Throughout much of the altercation, two other LAPD officers continued holding Alford down. They eventually moved away.

Several police officials who saw the surveillance footage told the LA Times that the officer kicked Alford’s head with great force. One said, the LAPD officer resembled “a football player kicking a field goal.” Another described the excessive force as “horrific.” The suspect, they said, had surrendered and was not resisting. Alford confirmed that he had already been handcuffed before being kicked…..MORE HERE

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