MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) - The Miami Gardens Police Department is conducting an investigation after a video surfaced showing one of their officers throwing a teenage girl on the ground.
The takedown took place near Northwest 191st Street and 37th Avenue on April 18 where some students had gathered for a fight before the officer took down the teenager and arrested her.
Broward Social Network, a youth mentoring service, posted the video on Facebook where the Miami Gardens officer could be seen pushing the teenager against a chain-linked fence before aggressively taking her down to the ground.
“Wow! You know? Is this for real,” the victim’s grandmother said. “That was excessive force, and ‘Bam!’ Three-hundred pounds more than she is I’m sure ’cause he’s a big guy. He’s three times bigger than she is! That was most disturbing that you would do that even to a child. She didn’t resist. She wasn’t even the fighter. She was just observing.”
Miami Gardens Police Chief Delma Noel-Pratt released a statement following the incident.
“The actions depicted in the video occurred on April 18, 2019. The matter is currently under investigation. The investigation will include a review of all actions, to include those of the officer and the individual, who was arrested. We are asking that the public not rush to judgment, as these incidents must be fully investigated to ensure fairness to everyone involved.”
The victim’s grandmother admits she doesn’t know if her granddaughter said anything to provoke the officer, but she said it wouldn’t warrant the reaction.
“I don’t know if some words were said, his skin was thin, but you don’t do that to a child,” the victim’s grandmother said.
Meanwhile, police are pushing for patience from the public until they can gather all of the facts.
“Don’t rush to judgment,” Noel-Pratt said. “Let it run its course. Let the process run its course, and let us investigate this matter appropriately.”
This is not the only video catching attention of tough actions by officers this week.
It happened the same day two Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies were caught on a viral video pepper-spraying and punching 15-year-old Delucca Rolle.
Body camera footage recently released caught a BSO deputy punching a suspect who was handcuffed to a hospital bed.
In Miami Gardens, the victim’s frustrated family is demanding answers and accountability.
“It’s really still heartbreaking, and I want to see that he gets some kind of counseling, something in his file, because it is totally unacceptable what he did to her that day. Totally unacceptable. I just can’t forget it,” the victim’s grandmother said.
It remains unknown what charges the teenager faces or if the charges were dropped.
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