An incident between a woman walking her dog and a Chicago police officer is being investigated after a video of a witness showing the unidentified officer grabbing the woman’s arm went viral on Sunday. The woman, whom her lawyers have identified as Nikkita Brown, called 911 and said she had a racial profile, CBS Chicago reports.
Spectator video shows Brown walking his dog on the beach around midnight. His lawyers, from Saulter Law PC, say the agent approached him because the beach closes at 11 p.m.
Brown, who is black, was not the only person on the beach, according to his lawyers. He saw other people, who were white, walking in the distance, according to CBS Chicago.
As he approached her, Brown began filming the officer, who she said turned on the body camera.
In her own video, Brown is heard asking the agent to step back because she has no mask. “Please respect my face. It’s CAVID. Six feet,” she says. The agent says he doesn’t need a mask because he’s out and tries to handle Brown.
Brown’s lawyers say the agent tried to attack her. The viewer’s video shows Brown screaming as the officer grabs him in his arms. Her phone falls out of her hands as the agent tries to stop her. Lawyers say his shoes also fell during the fight. All the while, Brown clung to his dog’s leash.
Eventually, the officer stops and they both walk away. The video went viral Sunday on Twitter and the Chicago Police Department and the Independent Civil Police Liability Office they said they are aware of it.
CUP on Monday said in a statement who has recommended that the video officer be relieved of his police powers or be placed on administrative leave while the incident is being investigated.
“The COPA has obtained and reviewed the video of the camera worn by the body of the Chicago police officer involved involving the woman as she walks her dog as part of the investigation,” the statement added. “COPA investigators also analyzed the scene of the incident that occurred on Saturday morning, August 28, 2021, and identified several additional video cameras in the area that could have captured the incident. applications for these videos are pending “.
Brown’s lawyer said she suffered emotional trauma.
CBS News has contacted the responsibility office for more information and is awaiting a response. Chicago police declined to comment.