Officers Videotaped Pummeling Face Of Cuffed Man
POSTED: Tuesday, August 12, 2008
UPDATED: 9:15 am EDT August 12,
2008
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- A Florida police officer caught on dashboard camera kicking and punching a handcuffed man in the face and body has resigned and two other officers are on administrative leave.
Pablo Gilberto Valenzuela, 42, was arrested in a CVS Pharmacy by West Palm Beach officers.
During the arrest, officers are seen repeatedly pummeling Valenzuela's face while he is handcuffed and faced down in the store's parking lot. Valenzuela does not appear in the video to be resisting arrest.
Valenzuela suffered a broken jaw, bruised eyes and other injuries.
After seeing the video, Police Chief Delsa Bush said there is no doubt that the officers used excessive force.
"To see this actually happen, obviously, I'm not pleased with it at all," Bush said. "We are held to a much higher standard to anyone else."
Officer Kurt Graham has resigned and Officers Louis Schwartz and Jason Zangara are on administrative leave.
Valenzuela said he has no memory of the confrontation.
An internal investigation into the incident continues.
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