A Texas teacher has received a public apology after a police officer shoved him to the ground and told him that black people have violent tendencies.
The incident involving Breion King and two officers occurred during a traffic stop on June 15th.
The police car video of King’s arrest drew national attention and tensions about police treatment of black people.
Officer Brian Richter nearly threw King into a nearby truck after he was pulled over in the parking lot of a Wendy’s fast-food restaurant around lunchtime for going 15 miles per hour over the speed limit.
After a struggle, King was handcuffed and taken to jail by Officer Patrick Spradlin, who told King he “didn’t blame” white people for fearing violence in black communities.
Footage of the violent assault sparked further outrage over police violence in the United States.
King later received an apology from police. Photo: Yahoo US
King, an elementary school teacher, did not press charges after her arrest and said Friday she did not know filing charges was an option at the time.
Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo said he was “disgusted” by the comments heard on the video and placed both officers on desk duty pending an internal investigation.
Prosecutors have also opened a criminal investigation into the officer who threw King to the ground.
The newly released arrest footage is the latest in a series of videos showing tense encounters between police and Black people across the country.
It has seen some of the deadliest clashes in weeks, sparking protests, the shooting of a police officer and a televised town hall by President Barack Obama on race.