A video that appears to show a Fall River police officer punching a high school student in the area of his head and neck led to a Fall River Police investigation into whether the officer’s use of force was justified.
In the about 10-second video clip shared to social media Thursday, two officers are seen struggling with the male student near an entryway to Resiliency Preparatory Academy, the public school that provides extra behavioral and social support for students. One officer said, “Get your hands behind your back, it now!”
The juvenile was struggling with officers on his knees when an officer to the student’s left appears to punch the student at least three times before pushing him to the ground, where he was restrained by both officers.
Sgt. J.T. Hoar said he is investigating the officers’ use of force. He said the initial facts show the student was “having an issue with staff” when he became “unruly” and destroyed school property.
