A video capturing a distressing incident has gone viral, showing a 14-year-old Black boy subjected to a headlock and a taser by a police officer, triggering a wave of outrage on social media.
The episode unfolded when West Midlands Police responded to a call regarding a "civil matter between neighbors" at a residence in Bromford, Birmingham, around 5:20 pm on Monday.
The video, widely shared online, depicts an officer grappling with the teenager in a headlock, as onlookers desperately shout, "Get off him, get off him." The young boy manages to break free momentarily, only to have the same officer deploy a taser, causing him to collapse to the ground.
Authorities have confirmed that both the child and a 37-year-old man were taken into custody on charges of assaulting a police officer, with the teenager facing additional allegations of criminal damage and threats to cause criminal damage.
In the video, a woman believed to be the boy's mother can be heard expressing her distress, repeatedly stating that he is just 14 years old and demanding to know what has been done to her son. While the officer instructs the boy not to move, concerned bystanders plead, "Watch his asthma, look, he can't breathe; he's a child."
Despite these pleas, the officer insists that people maintain their distance, callously stating, "I don't care, I don't care."
A spokesperson for the Independent Office for Police Conduct acknowledged the incident and anticipates receiving a referral from West Midlands Police regarding the matter. Once received, the IOPC will conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine the necessary actions.
This deeply troubling incident, captured on video for the world to see, underscores the urgency of addressing police use of force, particularly when it involves minors. It has ignited a renewed call for transparency and accountability in law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals, regardless of their age or background.
Link: The Independent UK
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