Internal Investigation Launched After North Carolina Officer Filmed Punching Woman During Arrest

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department faces backlash after a video shows an officer repeatedly striking a woman during an arrest for alleged public marijuana use.

Video footage of a North Carolina police officer repeatedly punching a Black woman during an arrest has sparked an internal investigation by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD).
The incident occurred when officers approached the woman and a man who were allegedly smoking marijuana in public. The police claim the woman punched an officer in the face, leading to a struggle.
The video shows four officers holding the woman down while a fifth officer strikes her multiple times. The CMPD stated that the officer was 'intentional' about where he hit the woman to gain compliance.
The woman and the man, both employees of the fast-food chain Bojangles, were charged with various offenses including assault on a government official and possession of marijuana.
CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings acknowledged the public outrage over the video and stated that the department has petitioned the court to release the body camera footage of the incident.