Daily US Times: A Colorado police officer has been arrested after a video of him circulated threatening to kill a man during an arrest.
Body camera footage shows Aurora policeman John Haubert using a pistol to strike the man – who was being arrested on suspicion of trespassing – saying “if you move, I will shoot you”.
The arrest comes amid intense scrutiny of police misconduct in the United States following the killing of George Floyd, which sparked national protests.
A second police officer has also been arrested for failing to stop Mr Haubert.
Footage shows Mr Haubert repeatedly saying “stop fighting” as the man tells him “I can’t even breathe” and “you’re killing me”.
The man was admitted to hospital following the incident.
Mr Haubert is now being investigated on various possible charges, including assault and threatening with a deadly weapon, according to an arrest warrant.
Francine Martinez, the second officer, faces charges for not trying to stop Mr Haubert’s use of force. Both of the officers have reportedly turned themselves in.
Aurora’s police department has faced allegations of misconduct for years, including the death of a man during an arrest in 2019.
Colorado police officers are required to step in when they witness incidents of misconduct or excessive use of force, according to a new accountability law.
Aurora police chief Vanessa Wilson said at a news conference on Tuesday that the arrest was a “very despicable act.”
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