Video of officer punching man during arrest sparks internal investigation
http://wgntv.com/2016/06/20/video-of-officer-punching-man-during-arrest-sparks-internal-investigation/
Chicago police have launched an internal investigation after video of a man being punched by an officer surfaced on social media.
What led up to the video is something police and witnesses disagree on.
22-year-old Robert Foreman was released from custody Monday after he was charged with resisting arrest and public drinking. Foreman says he had just been robbed before the arrest took place, but police dispute his account.
The video in question was recorded by a witness near the intersection of 88th St. and S. Wabash Ave. in the Chatham neighborhood. Maurice Fulson, who recorded the arrest, says he saw the officer tackle Foreman just before the punches were thrown.
“He was down, you can see it on the film. He was not fighting back, he wasn’t trying to flip,” Fulson said.
A police source says officers were going to write Foreman a ticket for public drinking before he took off running. Now he’s facing charges of public drinking along with resisting arrest.
Foreman says he had just been robbed and stopped as soon as he realized it was police chasing him.
“When I turned around and I seen him I’m like, ‘alright, I give up,’ and he just grabbed me and threw me down to the ground; I didn’t resist or nothing,” Foreman said.
Police issued a statement tonight, saying:
"Based on this video, CPD has opened an internal affairs investigation into this incident and will be forwarding the video and all relevant reports to the Independent Review Board for investigation. We are committed to the highest levels of integrity and professional standards and look forward to IPRA's review of this incident"
Foreman and his family say they’re seeking representation from a lawyer.