LONDON – A sergeant who was seen apparently hitting a female demonstrator at a Group of 20 protest in London has been suspended, police said Wednesday.
Video posted on YouTube appeared to show an officer swiping at the woman with his hand, then apparently hitting her on the legs with a baton. Associated Press photographs appear to show the same officer removing his baton and striking the lower part of her body.
London police said Wednesday the officer had been identified and suspended pending further investigation, but they declined to release details.
Britain’s police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission, said it would investigate but could offer no comment as it had not yet formally opened the case.
The photos and video were shot April 2 in front of the Bank of England. Demonstrators gathered there in protest at the death of Ian Tomlinson, a 47-year-old man who collapsed after being caught up in the protests the day before. Separate video appeared to show him being shoved to the ground by an officer in riot gear.
That officer has already been suspended.
