BBC News - California police 'pummelling' of woman is investigated
The California Highway Patrol says that it is
investigating footage posted on YouTube that shows a policeman
repeatedly punching the face and head of a prostrate woman.<p>Video
shows him straddling the woman and hitting her at least 11
times.<p>Police say that the woman needed to be restrained and
was endangering herself and motorists by walking on a busy road in
the west of Los Angeles.<p>The incident was recorded by
passing motorist David Tiaz.<p>"{The policeman] just pounded
her," he told CBS Los Angeles.<p>"If you look at the video, there
are 15 hits. To the head, and not just simple jabs. These are blows to
the head. Blows. Really serious blows. And this is ridiculous to
me."<p>"I find it hard to believe there [was] no other remedy in
this situation."<p>The officer involved in the incident is
reported by the AP news agency to be on administrative leave while
it is being investigated. He has not been identified.<p>The
California Highway Patrol (CHP) says that it is looking into the
details of the incident, which has been condemned by civil rights
leaders.<p>"As a matter of policy, every time there is a use
of force by our officers, there is a review conducted to determine
whether the use of force was appropriate," a CHP statement
said.<p>"That will be done in this case. However, since there is
an ongoing investigation, it would be premature to comment on
this specific video segment without reviewing the entire
incident."<p>When the video starts, the officer is seen trying
to detain the barefooted woman, who walks a few steps away from
him.<p>But the officer is seen forcing her to the ground,
briefly struggling with her before repeatedly pummelling her. A few
moments later, a plainclothes officer enters the picture and helps
his colleague put the woman in handcuffs.<p>A CHP spokesperson
was quoted by CBS Los Angeles on Friday as saying that the agency
was trying to bring Tuesday's incident "to a just conclusion".
http://flip.it/82H8P
