Two Ohio police officers are under investigation after a witness filmed an officer viciously punching a Black woman in the face during an arrest.
The video came to light on Tuesday, when local news outlet Dayton 24/7 posted footage to Facebook showing a Butler Township officer repeatedly punching the woman.
In the clip, two police officers can be seen standing in front of their police car in a parking lot while moving to subdue the woman, identified by her attorney’s office as Latinka Hancock.
At the beginning of the clip without sound, Hancock can be seen talking to the officers as she tries to push them away. An officer on the left appears to be pointing a stun gun in his right hand at Hancock, while an officer on the right holds her arm and shoulder. At one point, Hancock appeared to be waving her arms around, and the officer on the right punched her in the face several times until Hancock fell back on the cruiser’s hood. The officers then held Hancock against the car as one of them handcuffed her.
The Butler Township Police Department, based in Dayton, acknowledged the police use of force in a Facebook post, revealing that an investigation was underway.
“We are aware of a video recorded by an outsider that is circulating on Facebook regarding an incident that occurred on January 16, 2023, involving two of our officers,” the office said. third post read. “This incident is currently being investigated in accordance with department policies and procedures, as is the case whenever force is used in an arrest.”
“Part of that investigation also involved scrutinizing videos taken by the cruiser and cameras by officers,” the statement continued. “The department is in the process of reviewing those videos, which will be made available to the public after the department’s review.”
The video quickly gained attention on social media, where critics condemned the police behaviour.
“Has this officer been arrested yet?” one community members commented on Facebook. “NO BAGS WILL SUCCESS YOU BY THE LAW! …Nothing will make this behavior acceptable or LEGAL. Butler Twp residents cannot feel safe with this abusive monster on the payroll.”
“This lady is clearly [un]can move anything she clearly points into her shoe so she can put it on,” another Facebook users Written. “They had both her hands and the officer punched her for no reason. … I HATE these racist white policemen thinking they can do whatever they want!”
“The video speaks volumes‼️ This is a blatant abuse of power! Truly a disgrace!” who to post below the Facebook video.
Other social media users blamed Hancock, saying she was resisting arrest.
“It’s funny how so many people jump to the conclusion that what he did was wrong without the full facts,” said the former Dayton law officer and small business owner. Joshua’s Weapon. “Can you see what she’s doing with her hands? Did she grab the stun gun or his weapon? If so, it’s justified. We won’t know until there are body cameras and other available footage, as this view doesn’t show everything. So to all the police officers in the backseat and the quarterbacks Monday morning, calm down a bit.
Based on WHIO-TV DaytonButler Township Police will release footage and bodycam footage from the police cruiser during a press conference next Wednesday.
The press team for Hancock’s attorney told The Daily Beast his office will issue a public statement following the police press.
