NASSAU-An officer seen manhandling a drug suspect in surveillance footage has been suspended.
Police made the announcement after a video of the arrest outside the New Village Pub on Balfour Avenue on Saturday, August 29 went viral on social media.
In the video, the officer throws the suspect to the ground and puts his foot on his back.
The 35-year-old man appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt on Monday charged with drug possession with intent to supply.
Prosecutors allege that police found him with two pounds of marijuana.
The man, whose name has been withheld for his protection, denied the charge at his arraignment. His lawyer Alex Dorsett said that his client was still swollen from injuries sustained at arrest. According to Mr Dorsett, his client’s teeth were shaky as a result.
Mr Dorsett said that surveillance footage had captured the incident.
According to a statement from police, the officer involved will remain on leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The results of the investigation will be made public, the statement said.
Anyone with information about the incident should contact the Deputy Commissioner of Police at telephone numbers 302-8416 or 302-8420.
