Police In Allentown, PA Investigating After Viral Video Shows Officer Kneeling On Man’s Neck
Police in Allentown, Pennsylvania are investigating after a viral video, showing an officer kneeling on a man’s neck while trying to restrain him, surfaces. Prior to the launch of an investigation, the shocking clip prompted protests and demands from local Black Lives Matter officials, calling for the officer’s suspension.
The video, showing the incident which took place on Saturday night, shows officers restraining a man on the ground outside of the Sacred Heart Campus of St. Luke’s Hospital. While pinning the man down in front of the emergency room entrance, one officer first elbows the man’s neck before switching positions to place his knee on his neck, continuing to hold him down as other officers grabbed his arms — the whole time, the man is not resisting arrest, but screaming in pain.
RELATED: NYPD Officer Who Put His Knee On Man’s Neck Will Face Misconduct Charges
Following the incident, the Allentown Police Department released a statement recapping the arrest and updating that an investigation would be launched, along with a review conducted by the Lehigh County District Attorney. Furthermore, following the death of George Floyd, the department recently announced its use of force policy, prohibiting neck restraints and chokeholds, noting officers should only use the amount of force necessary to control the situation.
RELATED: Ex-Miami Gardens Police Officer Charged After Kneeling On Pregnant Black Woman’s Neck
Leave us your thoughts in a comment via Yappa below
#BREAKING @AllentownPolice response to video showing an officer appearing to have his knee on a persons neck. @CBSPhilly @BLMlehighvalley pic.twitter.com/0O7H2N8iaF
— Joshua Crompton (@PhillyNewsGuy) July 13, 2020