3 US cops suspended over viral video showing them beating man, kneeing on him

Three police officers in the Arkansas state of the US were suspended after a video showing them beating and kneeing a suspect went viral.

The incident took place on Sunday in Crawford County in Arkansas. The viral video shows the three officers on top of the suspect, punching him in the head and kneeing him several times. The video also shows one of the officers pointing at the person taping the video, signalling her to stop recording the incident.

According to a report in the Associated Press, the police said that the accused was making threats to a convenience store employee in Mulberry. When the cops confronted him, the accused allegedly pushed a cop to the ground and punched the back of his head, following which he was arrested.

In a statement, Crawford County Sheriff Jimmy Damante stated that two county deputies have been suspended until the investigation into the incident is complete. “I hold all my employees accountable for their actions and will take appropriate measures in this matter,” Associated Press quoted Damante as saying.

The third cop, who is with the Mulberry police department, was also suspended following the incident. He has been sent on leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The accused was arrested and taken to a local hospital. He faces charges of terroristic threat, resisting arrest and other assault charges, police said.

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson took to Twitter and commented on the video. “I have spoken with Col. Bill Bryant of the Arkansas State Police, and the local arrest incident in Crawford County will be investigated pursuant to the video evidence and the request of the prosecuting attorney,” Hutchinson said on Twitter.