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Police Investigate After Video Appears To Show Officer Spitting On Man In Handcuffs

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Baltimore police launch an internal investigation into the actions of one of their officers, after cell phone videos appear to show the officer spitting on a man already in handcuffs.

Derek Valcourt has the video and reaction from the interim police commissioner.

This is now a criminal and internal investigation. Based on additional video and witness interviews, the decision has been made to suspend the officer's police powers.

"Our internal investigation progressed rapidly today with the review of available video and interaction with witnesses. The video appears to depict the police sergeant spitting on the arrestee. That is outrageously unacceptable and it directly contradicts the necessary community relationships we are striving to rehabilitate. The police powers of Sergeant Robert Mesner are now suspended, and a criminal investigation is underway. Our entire community deserves to be treated with dignity and respect." Said Interim Police Commissioner Kevin Davis.

Sergeant Mesner is a 34-year- veteran of the Baltimore Police Department.

It's unclear what happened before cell phones started recording Sunday night, but the video appears to show a man shouting obscenities being followed by several police officers.

"You're going to be Tased. You're under arrest. Get down, man; you're under arrest," an officer said.

"Go ahead! Go ahead! Do it!" the man responded.

In the darkness, it's difficult to see everything that happens next, but what is clear is that after the suspect is already cuffed, the officer appears to spit on him.

"I think any reasonable person can look at that video last night and come away with some serious concerns," said Interim Police Commissioner Kevin Davis.

Davis says police aren't just reviewing what happened, they're launching a full Internal Affairs investigation into the officer's actions.

The video comes days after another cell phone video showed a suspect punching officers as he violently resisted arrest.

Davis says with city officers soon wearing body cameras, the public will see more of what police encounter and how they react.

"We deal with people, communities, families, in crisis--and that's not always pretty. So that's nothing new to law enforcement. The fact that it's captured on video more and more and more is new to society," Davis said.

The man who was arrested has been charged with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct. He has not yet been identified.

Police say officers in Eastern, Western and Central districts will begin wearing body cameras October 26 during a pilot program that will last until December 18.

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