In video, police officer pushes, slaps man at Florida bus terminal; is suspended with pay
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Police said Tuesday that they’re looking into possible criminal charges against an officer who was videotaped pushing and slapping a homeless man at a bus terminal.
The video surfaced on YouTube shortly after Officer Victor Ramirez confronted Bruce Laclair, 58, who had been sleeping on a bench inside the terminal near downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Police Chief Frank Adderley said Tuesday that Ramirez is a nine-year veteran of the city’s police force. He was suspended with pay while the agency investigates the incident. Ramirez was at the bus terminal at the request of transit officials because of recent safety problems, police said.
The video shows the officer holding the man’s arm, then pushing him to the ground. The officer tells the man to get up and then slaps him in the face. Laclair was charged with trespassing and released from the Broward County Jail on Monday evening. It wasn’t known whether he’s hired an attorney.
Adderley said that in addition to looking into possible charges against Ramirez, the agency will review its use-of-force policy.
“We consider this a very serious matter,” Adderley said.
City Manager Lee Feldman also attended a Tuesday morning news conference. He said the State Attorney’s Office will review the incident.
“I will tell you we are committed to doing the right thing,” Feldman said.
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