Police in Wildwood, New Jersey, have opened an Internal Affairs investigation after a video showed an officer punching a 20 year old woman in the head during an arrest on the beach over Memorial Day weekend.
According to ABC News, the arrest happened Saturday afternoon. The video, recorded by a bystander, shows officers trying to restrain Emily, who is from Philadelphia and was wearing a bathing suit. An officer is seen punching her in the head during the struggle.
Police said Emily was drinking on the beach, spat at an officer and resisted arrest. She was charged with disorderly conduct, underage alcohol possession, obstruction and two counts of aggravated assault on police. She has not been convicted of anything.
Emily gave her own account in a Facebook post that has since been removed. She said an officer told her, “I was gonna let you go but now I’ll write you up,” after she questioned why police were focused on underage drinking. She also said a breathalyzer test came back negative, that she refused to give her name, and that she tripped while backing away before being tackled. Those are her claims, and police have not confirmed them.
The Wildwood Police Department said the officers involved were moved to administrative duty while the investigation continues. The chief called the video alarming but said he would not rush to judgment. The Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office is assisting.
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