What to Know
- The incident happened during Wednesday's arrest of 26-year-old Jacksonville Gaston
- When officers tried to put him in the back of a police car, Gaston spit in the face of an officer, an arrest report said
- The officer then "delivered a few distractionary strikes to the defendant's face," the report said
Miami-Dade Police have opened an internal investigation after a video surfaced showing an officer allegedly hitting a suspect during an arrest.
The incident happened during Wednesday's arrest of 26-year-old Jacksonville Gaston, who was charged with battery on a police officer, fleeing or eluding an officer, resisting an officer and reckless driving.
According to an arrest report, an officer spotted Gaston driving a car with a woman hanging out of the passenger side with the door open. The officer tried to stop the car but Gaston kept going, driving through a stop sign and finally stopping in the 14300 block of Southwest 158th Court, the report said.
Gaston got out of the car and started to walk away, telling an officer that "the encounter was consensual and he was not obligated to stop," the report said.
Three officers tried to place Gaston into custody but he tensed up his arms and a struggle ensued, and Gaston and the officers fell to the ground, the report said. Gaston tried to punch and kick the officers, poke one officer in the eye and was also spitting, the report said.
When the officers tried to place him in the back of a police car, Gaston spit in the face of an officer, who then "delivered a few distractionary strikes to the defendant's face," the report said.
Gaston complained of being short of breath and was treated at the scene. When he was told to move farther into the back seat, he again spit at the officer, who again used "distractionary strikes" on Gaston, the report said.
Officers were able to get Gaston into the car but he proceeded to kick the door, causing damage to the door handle, the report said. He was eventually booked into jail.
Part of the encounter was captured on video by a witness. Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez said he's aware of the video.
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"The incident, in its entirety, is currently under internal investigation to ensure that the officers' actions were in accordance with established policies and procedures, and consistent with the Miami-Dade Police Department's deeply held core values of integrity, respect, service and fairness," Perez said in a statement.
