‘Clear Violation of Policy’: Footage of Miami Cop Brutally Kicking Man in Head Goes Viral (Video)

A police officer in Miami has been suspended from duty after a video showing him delivering a running kick to the head of a man prone and in handcuffs surfaced on social media.

Officer Mario Figueroa was taken off duty Thursday after footage of the arrest was shared widely on Facebook. Captured by onlooker Lisa Harrell, the 51-second video shows suspect David Vladim Suazo lying face down on the ground as an officer approaches and places handcuffs on him. Figueroa then appears from the left of the screen and delivers a kick to Suazo’s head before pinning him to the ground.

Suazo, 31, was arrested and charged with vehicle theft, fleeing a police officer, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, leaving the scene of an accident and resisting an officer without violence.

In a statement, Miami Police Chief Jorge R. Colina said that the department “received a video of an incident involving one of my officers.” “The video depicts a clear violation of policy,” he added.

Colina confirmed that the officer had been suspended and that the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s office had been contacted.

Today, the City of Miami Police Department received a video of an incident involving one of my officers. The video depicts a clear violation of policy. The officer has been relieved of duty and the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s office has been contacted.

-Chief Jorge R. Colina

— Miami PD (@MiamiPD) May 3, 2018