Police official's blunt take on cop who punched teen resisting arrest: 'Police work in action

After video surfaced of a New York City police officer repeatedly punching a teen who resisted arrest — after the teen reportedly put his hands on another cop’s neck and was on top of that officer on a sidewalk — the 50th Precinct’s commanding officer offered a blunt response.

“You saw police work in action," deputy inspector Terence O’Toole told the Riverdale Press.

Here’s the clip. (Content warning: Strong language):

What happened?

• Alfred Burns, 16, tried to steal a bicycle in front of a Bronx store around 9 a.m. Friday, police told the New York Daily News.
• The store’s owner flagged down a passing patrol and pointed out the teen, police added to the paper.
• Burns pushed one of the approaching New York City police officers to the ground and put his hand on the cop’s neck, police told the Daily News.
• A cellphone video shows the teen on top of the cop — and a second officer on top of the teen, wrapping his arms around the teen and delivering punches to the teen’s head.

Excessive force?

• O’Toole told the Riverdale Press there's also video of the suspect taking the bike, and "as soon as the officers tell him, ‘You’re under arrest,’ he pushed the officer down and puts his hands over his throat.”
• He added to the Press: “People fail to realize that police are allowed to use physical force. It looks awful, but it’s lawful. If you are placed under arrest, then you comply.”

What happened to the officers involved?

• None of them have been placed on leave despite an internal affairs investigation into the case, O’Toole told the Press.

What did O'Toole say about the suspect?

• “He’s a scourge on the Bronx as it is at 16 years old,” O’Toole told the Press, adding that he has a long rap sheet. “This guy has his hands around an officer’s neck. Last time I checked, that is pretty dangerous. And he admits he stole the bike.”
• “He is going to fight with police for the rest of his life, guaranteed,” O’Toole added to the media. “And the next cop that he encounters may have to shoot him because he is going to fail to comply. Because that is going to be his lifestyle forever.”

(H/T: Blue Lives Matter)