LOS ANGELES, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have opened an investigation into allegations that two officers beat a man.
The incident, which was caught on video and posted on the Web site YouTube, concerned allegations that an officer sat on William Cardenas while a second officer placed a knee on his neck and punched him six times, The Los Angeles Times reported Friday.
In the video, Cardenas could be seen waving his arms and shouting that he couldn't breathe. His attorney said Cardenas suffered black eyes, a split lip and facial bruises that required hospital treatment.
Police Chief William J. Bratton told the Times the video was "disturbing" but only captured part of the incident. Cardenas has been charged with resisting officers.
"It is very graphic video," Bratton said Thursday. "But as to whether the actions of the officers were appropriate in light of what they were experiencing and the totality of the circumstances is what the investigation will determine."
The Los Angeles Daily News reported that the video was shot by an unidentified woman with a cell phone camera.
