NEW YORK (AP) – New York City police said on Thursday they’re investigating a confrontation this week in which a detective shoved and hit a woman, causing her to fall to the ground, after she struck him as he was helping arrest an armed suspect who was wanted in connection with an attempted killing.
Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said the department’s Internal Affairs Bureau’s Force Group is investigating.
Advocates called for Detective Kendo Kinsey’s firing after a bystander captured video of the clash, which occurred on Tuesday.
Sewell also authorised the release of body camera footage, which shows the woman approaching Kinsey, asking “What’s the problem?” and hitting the detective in the chest.
Officers were arresting a man wanted in a shooting on August 12, which police said involved several suspects firing at multiple people.
Kinsey is then seen striking her with an open hand, knocking her flat on the ground. She remained conscious and was taken to a hospital at her request, Sewell said.
Mayor Eric Adams defended Kinsey, saying he and other officers showed “great restraint” and “did what the system called for”.
A crowd had attempted to disrupt the arrest, said Adams, a former New York City police captain.
“I am not going to tell police officers to go out, apprehend dangerous people, and then come later – when they did what they were supposed to do,” said Adams.
