KIHEI (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Maui police officer has been reassigned after being caught on camera allegedly hitting a handcuffed suspect.
Video of the incident appears to show the officer allegedly throwing the suspect into a vehicle and hitting him on the side of the head.
The Maui Police Department said the incident occurred on Halloween, at around 11 p.m., in Kihei after the suspect allegedly rammed a vehicle into multiple police vehicles twice.
MPD said officers were trying to take the suspect into custody after discovering he had three active no-bail warrants.
On Saturday, Nov. 1, the department said it opened a criminal and internal investigation to review the circumstances of the incident.
Police said the suspect has been charged with multiple violent crimes, and the officer will remain on administrative duty until investigations are complete.
“The Maui Police Department is committed to full transparency, the incident was addressed immediately, and we will allow for due process,” said Maui Police Chief John Pelletier.
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