Investigation Pledged in Phili Arrest Video

PHILADELPHIA- The city’s police commissioner pledged Monday to conduct an internal investigation into an arrest caught on videotape that shows an officer apparently striking a handcuffed suspect as the man lay on the ground.

The video, shot by television station WCAU from a helicopter, shows the capture of a suspect Thursday night following a chase that ended in northeast Philadelphia .

The video appears to show two officers holding the 30-year-old suspect on the ground while a third officer swings his arm down toward the suspect seven times. But the tape does not provide a clear view of what the officer was striking.

Police Commission Sylvester A. Johnson said the video was “very disturbing to me.”

“There’s no reason to hit anyone who is handcuffed,” said Johnson, who promised a thorough investigation. “The police department is not going to break the law to enforce the law.”

The suspect was pursued after a suspected burglary but was not arrested. He was released after questioning, the station said.

The identities of the police officers and the suspect were not released.