A St. Louis police officer sparked controversy when he was captured on video straddling a detained suspect and lighting a cigar outside a restaurant. The incident, which went viral after being posted online, led to an internal investigation by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. In the video, the officer can be seen with his right arm on the suspect’s chest, while using his free hand to light the cigar borrowed from another officer.
The footage shows bystanders and the suspect joking with the officer, offering to lend their lighters. At one point, the suspect attempts to free his hands while lying on his back, but the officer restrains him by grabbing his arms. The witness recording the incident pleads with the officer to at least allow the suspect to wear his hat. The video, which has been viewed over 262,000 times, was initially uploaded to Instagram by votp_news.
The officer was working his second job at the downtown St. Louis nightspot when the incident occurred. Lounge employees had requested the officer to remove the suspect from the venue due to trespassing on private property and resisting arrest. It was reported that some of the responding officers to the scene were equipped with body cameras, but the footage has not been released publicly. Following the video’s online circulation, the SLMPD launched an internal investigation to investigate the circumstances leading up to the detainment.
Despite the controversial nature of the video, no injuries were reported during the incident. The department stated that they wanted to gain a better understanding of what transpired before and after the detainment. The exact date and time of the incident were not specified in the reports. The location of the detainment was in downtown St. Louis, close to the Gateway Arch. The department is committed to examining the situation thoroughly to ensure proper protocol was followed.
Overall, the public outcry over the video highlights concerns around police conduct and use of force. The officer’s actions in the video have raised questions about the appropriateness of his behavior during the detainment. The internal investigation aims to provide clarity on the situation and address any potential misconduct. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency within law enforcement agencies to maintain public trust and uphold the rule of law.
