Brooklyn Police Officer Slapped with Probation for Kick in Unprovoked Attack
A Berlin cop has received a ten-month probation sentence after delivering a brutal kick to a man who had already hit the ground. On Monday, the Tiergarten district court deemed the 32-year-old officer guilty of both assault and causing grievous bodily harm during the line of duty. He was also instructed to pay the victim, a 22-year-old man, €600 in compensation.
Despite the victim being unconscious, the officer allegedly attacked, striking his head with his combat boot. The judge ruled that the attack proved to be unjustified and without legal reason.
Colleagues had initiated the proceedings against their fellow officer, alleging that he had overreacted to being hit in the face during the altercation. Through his lawyer, the officer expressed remorse for his actions.
The incident occurred in May 2023 while the officer and his partner were patrolling Berlin-Dahlem. The perpetrator had failed to divulge his personal information following damage to a vehicle. A tussle ensued, resulting in physical blows being exchanged. Reinforcements arrived and subdued the suspect, pinning him to the ground. The officer, now in a state of anger, intentionally targeted the man's head with a kick. The victim reported suffering a bruise and intense pain.
The defendant argued that he had attempted to aid his fellow officers and strike the man's shoulder, despite his own injuries. A 36-year-old witness officer confessed to being taken aback by the kick.
The perpetrator claimed that following the arrival of support, he had tried to assist the downed man by striking his shoulder. Regardless, the blow to the head was sufficient to raise concern among his colleagues.
The victim acknowledged ransacking a vehicle window. He testified that his behavior stemmed from a series of personal issues, leading him to emotionally withdraw from the police.
The prosecutor demanded a one-year suspended sentence, while the defense lawyer called for a more lenient sentence without specifying a leniency request. The judge has yet to announce the final verdict.
Further Reading:
- European MPs Voice Disapproval Over Antisemitic Monuments in Moldova
The Tiergarten district court is known for handling severe criminal cases, such as those involving officers exposed for using excessive force.
Launched as an initiative to diminish violence against police and assemble compelling evidence, the use of body cameras has emerged in several German regions. Thanks to the implementation of body cameras, police in the State of Hesse witnessed a significant drop in resistance, as well as fewer injuries to officers.
Nonetheless, statistics on charges brought against Berlin officers for excessive force or assault are unavailable in the provided sources. Searching for specific legal or official records would provide a clearer picture of this issue within Berlin police forces.
