Watch a video of the arrest operation below:
Lieutenant Caron Nazario was stopped with his car for not having the correct number plates. According to police officers, the soldier did not follow their instructions properly. The photos show the Black and Latino Nazario repeatedly asking the officers what he did. “It’s ridiculous,” he said, as the officers pointed a pistol at him and ordered him to get out of his car. Shortly thereafter, the lieutenant also received pepper spray in his eyes and was forced to the floor and handcuffs.
The governor says the photos “annoyed and angered him.” Northam said in a statement that he had ordered the police to conduct an “independent investigation” into the incident. “We must continue to work to ensure that Virginia residents are safe when interacting with the police, that law enforcement is fair and equitable, and that people are held accountable,” said Northam.
The accident happened on December 5 last year, but last week, photos of officers’ body cameras quickly spread across the internet after Nazario filed a lawsuit. The soldier is demanding compensation of $ 1 million (about 840,000 euros).
Nazario claims that the police would have threatened to end his military career if he spoke out against the officers’ behavior. He was released after the incident without being charged.
Police in the United States have long been under fire for allegations of racism and misconduct. In particular, the death of black man George Floyd in Minneapolis in May of last year sparked global outrage. The officer suspected of killing Floyd is currently on trial.