Worthington police officer Joe Joswiak is facing backlash after dashcam footage shows his ‘brutal attack’ on a man he pulled over.
The American Civil Liberties Union is calling for an investigation into the arrest of 22-year-old Anthony Promvongsa, made on July 28, 2016.
The newly released footage shows Joswiak, who is also a part of the Buffalo Ridge Drug Task Force pulling over a gray Honda Pilot.
When the car pulled over, Joswiak screams ‘Get the f*** out of the car, motherf*****!’ before opening Promvongsa’s door and kneeing him. Joswiak then punches Promvongsa before throwing him to the ground.
In addition to the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU released a statement, saying: ‘Agent Joswiak’s use of force against Anthony Promvongsa is disturbing and completely unnecessary.’
via Star Tribune:
State leaders of the American Civil Liberties Union released squad car video Thursday of what they say is a law enforcement officer’s “disturbing and completely unnecessary … brutal attack” on a motorist in Worthington, Minn., who was suspected of initiating a dangerous road-rage encounter and resisting arrest.
The civil rights group is calling for local authorities in southwestern Minnesota to investigate what it alleges is the use of excessive force during the July 2016 arrest of Anthony Promvongsa, 22, of Worthington.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=074ls3bIXUA
Worthington Police Chief Troy Appel released a statement, saying “The video, viewed in a vacuum, shows only a short segment of the incident that is the basis of the criminal charges.” The two declined to say more about the officer’s actions.
Promvonga was charged with possessing marijuana, assault with a dangerous weapon, fleeing police in a vehicle and driving after his license was revoked.
The date of Promvongsa’s trial has yet to be set. His criminal history includes convictions for underage drinking, drunken driving and driving on a revoked license.
