By Police1 Staff
HARLEM, N.Y. — The New York Police Department defended an officer seen in a viral video fighting and eventually arresting a man who was carrying a knife, NBC 4 New York Reports.
A video circulating online shows the arrest in Harlem on Friday, July 3 by NYPD Officer Jean Francisco. The incident began when Francisco saw that the suspect, Saykour George, was carrying a knife. In the video, the officer is seen attempting to arrest George, who refuses to cooperate.
“I’m just trying to do my job,” Francisco says in the video.
As George tries to walk away, Officer Francisco pushes him back and George returns a push to the officer. Francisco begins swinging at George as backup arrives.
NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton defended the officer’s actions after viewing the viral video.
“You have no right under the law of New York to resist arrest,” Bratton told NBC 4 New York.
Bratton added he “saw nothing inappropriate” with the officer’s behavior, but an internal investigation is ongoing.
George was charged with assault on an officer, possession of a weapon and disorderly conduct in connection to the incident.