*The LAPD released a “disturbing” bodycam video showing an officer viciously beating an unarmed homeless man suspected of trespassing.
The department’s version of what went down comes after a cell phone video posted on Twitter sparked outrage about police using excessive force.
“I along with many of you watched a third-party video that was released last week, and I have serious concerns,” said LAPD Chief Michel Moore. “Any use of force — justified or not — is difficult to watch. But this one is disturbing.”
Officer Frank Hernandez can be seen in the clip punching the suspect (identified as Richard Castillo), who does not appear to be fighting back, outside Church of God of the Prophecy in bodycam video filmed by his fellow officer.
At one point, Hernandez stops the beating to have a conversation with the other officer before he resumes attacking the alleged trespassing suspect.
Later in the video, other officers arrive on the scene to calm the situation down.
“I intend to… hold individuals accountable for behavior that is inconsistent with the high standards of this organization,” said Moore.
RELATED: L.A. DA Under Fire to File Felony Assault Charges Against LAPD Cop for Unprovoked Beating / WATCH
Officer Hernandez, of the Hollenbeck, has reportedly been involved in a trio of officer-involved shootings, the report states.
According to the Daily Mail, the suspect had been allegedly sleeping in a tent on a private property when he was arrested on April 27.
Audio captured by Hernandez’s partner’s body camera highlights Castillo’s refusal to leave the area. When Hernandez attempted to arrest him, a struggle ensued and it was also caught on a cell phone camera from a witness who filmed the incident from across the street.
Internal Affairs has launched a formal investigation due to the “serious nature of the alleged misconduct.”
Castillo was later released from custody and wasn’t charged.
“The use of force is justified because the officer believed he was under attack from the suspect… even though you might think the suspect wasn’t fighting back at that time, he wasn’t complying either,” LAPD attorney David Winslow said.
“Anytime you see someone with their hands behind their back and getting hit in the head like that multiple times, that is disturbing. As a human being, I look at that and say, ‘How did this happen? What led up to this?” Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey.
“But as the lead prosecutor in the D.A.’s office, I know that I need to exercise judgment in what I say publicly, because I don’t want this office disqualified or recused for prejudging the evidence. So I’m waiting to see all of what’s out there.”
Officer Hernandez has been placed on home duty pending the outcome of the investigation, the report states.
Meanwhile, Castillo has sued the city and members of its police force over the incident.
Via nbc.com:
Throughout the incident, Castillo “was terrified for his life, and was experiencing substantial pain and suffering,” the lawsuit states. Witnesses and residents expressed disapproval to the male officer who responded by telling them to “shut the f— up,” “get inside” and “you are all idiots,” according to the lawsuit. Castillo said at some point during the encounter, a resident recorded video of the incident that went viral. Castillo spent a night in jail and was released “without any pending charges or citations,” the lawsuit states.
Castillo’s attorney, Wesley Ouchi, told NBC News that his client is seeking unspecified punitive damages as well as attorney’s fees.
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