Investigation launched into video showing Seattle police officers possibly beating a man

Seattle’s civilian police oversight agency confirmed Wednesday that it is investigating Seattle police officers who were seen on social media apparently beating a man.

Video posted on Instagram by a witness last week shows Seattle Police Department (SPD) officers beating a man at a bus stop while attempting to arrest him. One officer used a baton and the other used his fists. In the video, the man can be heard screaming “Police brutality!”

At one point, one of the officers appears to press his knee onto the man’s upper back or neck. SPD guidelines prohibit its officers from using such tactics.

What led to the argument cannot be seen in the video published on the Internet. The reason for the man’s arrest is also unclear.

A spokesperson for the City of Seattle’s Office of Police Accountability (OPA) confirmed to KIRO Newsradio on Wednesday that the office had launched an “investigation” into the incident, but declined to comment further.

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When online users go to the website where they can check and track the status of complaints, it says the investigation was launched on Monday and that “OPA has received the complaint and a preliminary investigation has been initiated.” The process of OPA’s director reviewing the file takes up to 30 days, according to the website.

Deeanthony Marcell, the man who recorded the video, told KING 5 he did not need to wait for the full story to judge the incident he witnessed because he felt he witnessed an injustice. KING 5 was one of the first stations in Seattle to report on the story.

“It’s never OK,” Marcell said. “And that’s the only reason I recorded it.”

A spokeswoman for Seattle City Council member Tammy Morales told KING 5 the matter is serious and her office will investigate the incident. The incident occurred in her district.

KIRO Newsradio has requested bodycam footage of the arrest from the SPD.

Contributors: Heather Bosch and Sam Campbell, KIRO Newsradio; Steve Coogan, MyNorthwest