Police officer body slams drunk man on infamous party strip in US
A police officer has been filmed body-slamming a drunk man, on an infamous party strip in the US.
The disturbing video was captured on Bourbon Street, New Orleans about 4am Saturday (local time).
It’s reported the officer had just wrapped up his shift and was walking through the strip, when a bar employee approached him and asked for help with a patron who refused to leave.
The man, Michael Hoffman, 39, was advised to ‘take a walk’ before he started arguing with the police officer.
As a witness started to film the incident, Hoffman can be heard asking: “How is this okay? I can press charges.”
Hoffman’s brother, also in the footage, was trying to get him to leave the bar, according to local media.
His brother tried to intervene in the argument with the police officer, but he was pushed into some trash cans.
The officer then grabs Hoffman to arrest him.
“You’re on video,” Hoffman declares, before he is slammed to the ground inside a restaurant.
Onlookers watch in shock as he remains on the ground for a few seconds, before the officer instructs him to put his hands behind his back.
Hoffman has since been charged with resisting arrest, public intoxication, criminal trespassing and disturbing the peace.
His brother was not arrested or charged.
The officer’s supervisors have viewed the video and his actions were deemed appropriate under the circumstances, according to ABC News.
The officer has been cleared of any wrongdoing.
