WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | FL officer resigns after beating caught on tape

FL officer resigns after beating caught on tape

WEST PALM BEACH, FL (NBC) - A south Florida police officer has resigned and two others have been suspended after they are caught on tape hitting and kicking a handcuffed suspect.

The video paints a disturbing picture.

An incident back in late May involving three West Palm Beach police officers following an oxycodone robbery at a CVS.

Officers Jason Zangara, Louis Schwartz, and Kirk Graham all became the target of a internal affairs report.

West Palm Beach Police Chief Delsa Bush says "in this particular case having the video I chose to substantiate the charge of the use of excessive force."

According to the report, Valenzuela pepper sprayed the officers prior to being cuffed, then tried to bite one and spit in another's face. West Palm Beach police Chief Delsa Bush says the victim's behavior was bad but so was the officers.

West Palm Beach Police Chief Delsa Bush says "there was a thin line basically between giving officers a commendation and then ending up having to discipline them."

The entire incident took place in this CVS parking lot all of it caught on tape from a police cruisers dashboard cam, it wasn't until a few weeks following the incident a supervisor with the West Palm Beach police noticed the video and questioned it.

Valenzuela apologized for his actions though he says he doesn't remember it because he's addicted the drugs he stole. He received bruises and a cut above his left eye which required stitches.

Valenzuela is charged with battery and assault on an officer as well as robbery. As for the officers involved, Kurt Graham resigned two weeks ago. Schwartz and Zangara are on paid administrative leave for not using excessive force options.

West Palm Beach Police Chief Delsa Bush says "these officers didn't act upon that particular training and we have to police our own."

Posted by Logan Smith