VIDEO: Florida Officer Suspended After Cell Phone Video Captures Him Slapping Homeless Man
Video: Florida Officer Suspended After Cell Phone Video Captures Him Slapping Homeless Man
An investigation is under way after a cellphone captured an incident between a Fort Lauderdale. Fla., officer and a homeless man at the Broward County bus terminal in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
February 24, 2015
An investigation is under way after a cellphone captured an incident between a Fort Lauderdale. Fla., officer and a homeless man at the Broward County bus terminal in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
In the video, a man identified as Bruce Laclair, 58, walks by the person who caught the entire incident on camera. The video shows the officer close behind. Seconds later, the officer shoves Laclair to the ground.
"Relax," the officer said. "I'm telling you right now what is going to happen -- you're not supposed to go pee here."
The two men go back and forth a few times before the officer is seen trying to grab Laclair's arm and slapping him.
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department told WPLG TV Monday night that an internal investigation has led to the officer being relieved of duty with pay.
Laclair was arrested on a trespassing charge. He was released from jail Monday evening.
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