‘Upsetting’: Ohio Officer Caught on Video Punching a 16-Year-Old Three Times As He Protests Being Sent Back Through the School’s Metal Detector Multiple Times

A video released by Akron Public Schools in Ohio shows an Akron police officer hitting a 16-year-old student in the head at least three times while attempting to make an arrest, all in front of numerous students and staff members last week.The officer, assigned as a resource officer at Firestone Community Learning Center, was placed on administrative duty while a use of force investigation is underway, according to the Akron Beacon Journal, citing a joint press conference held Monday by Mayor Shammas Malik and the deputy police chief.Regardless of the investigation’s outcome, the officer will not return to his role at the school at the request of the school district.The student involved initially faced charges of resisting arrest, obstructing official duties, and trespassing. However, Malik revealed that city prosecutors dismissed those charges while the use-of-force investigation is underway.Video of the Wednesday, Oct. 16, incident shows two Akron police officers overseeing students as they pass through metal detectors at Firestone that morning. A 16-year-old student is stopped multiple times and directed to walk back through the detectors, though it’s unclear why since the video has no sound.When the student tries to push past the officers, they move to arrest him. As...