Police body orders probe after viewing video

The Police Complaints Authority (PCA) has launched an independent investigation into a video which allegedly shows a police officer assaulting a man. In a news release yesterday, the PCA said the video titled Police Independence Brutality was brought to its attention when it went viral via the Internet. The video was broadcast on several social networking sites including Facebook and YouTube.

The 57-second video depicts two officers, one dressed in police uniform and the other in plainclothes. In the video, the two officers were shown having a conversation with several people, during which the officer in plainclothes allegedly slapped a man before arresting him. The officer is also shown revealing a concealed firearm prior to making the arrest. The authority said although no police report was made by the alleged victim in the short video, it (the PCA) had authority under the Police Complaints Act.

“The PCA likens this most recent incident to the use of excessive force by a specific member of the T&T Police Service (TTPS) at the Pan Trinbago Panorama semifinals earlier this year. “The PCA continues to hold its position of zero-tolerance for unnecessary use of force against citizens of our country by members of the TTPS,” the release said. The PCA appealed to members of the public with information surrounding this incident to contact them at 800-2PCA or via email at [email protected].