PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Portsmouth Police Department held a news conference about an incident involving one of its officers. The detective now faces a simple assault charge, according to interim Chief Stephen Jenkins.
He said the officer in question is suspended without pay, pending an ongoing investigation into his use of force.
Friday afternoon, Jenkins began the press briefing by stating his department responds to an average of 200,000 calls for service every year, with a vast majority ending without incident and peacefully.
"Unfortunately, there are use-of-force incidents that are concerning at times, and this is one of those incidents," Jenkins said.
Jenkins said the incident stemmed from undercover work related to a homicide case. Detectives wearing plain clothes staged in the area of George Washington Highway at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Thursday.
Jenkins said the officers noticed a group of people nearby their surveillance cars, making threats. "[They] even heard words such as 'shoot them.' At some point, those unknown individuals broke out [a] window to one of the surveillance vehicles."
Then, a swarm of detectives in the area responded. Jenkins said officers detained two people. Video from a body-worn camera shows a detective placing handcuffs on one man.
"The other detective can be seen coming up to him, drawing back and striking him [the man]," Jenkins said.
13News Now asked Jenkins if he believes that action was warranted at that moment. "Absolutely not, that individual was compliant," Jenkins responded.
After the punch, another detective can be heard suggesting the man being detained was following instructions.
Jenkins went on to say that at no point should anyone have struck the man.
"This unfortunate incident is isolated and one that should not be considered indicative of everyday actions associated and done by the officers that serve this community," the interim chief said.
Moreover, Jenkins told 13News Now their findings showed that the man struck in the head ended up having nothing to do with the threats made or damage to the police car. However, Jenkins said the other person taken into custody Thursday morning did.
The man who was punched did not have to go to the hospital, according to a Portsmouth Police Department spokesperson.