Cop Smashes Glass —With Man's Head

Both treated for cuts
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 23, 2009 2:40 AM CST

A California transit cop has been caught on video slamming a drunk's head through a plate glass window in an Oakland BART station. The video shows the officer forcibly removing Joseph Gibson, 37, from a train, where he was rowdy and profane, earning applause from passengers. But then he crosses the platform and pushes Gibson into a window, which shatters. Both the unidentified officer and suspect were treated for injuries at a local hospital.

"This is a use-of-force case that we will thoroughly investigate," says BART's police commander. Gibson faces charges of battery of a police officer and resisting arrest—both felonies—and public intoxication, a misdemeanor. The officer has been placed on leave.
(More BART stories.)

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