GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Grand Rapids police are launching an internal investigation into officers’ use of force during the arrest of a wanted man.
Grand Rapids Interim Police Chief David Kiddle will discuss the incident at a 3:30 p.m. news conference, which will be livestreamed on woodtv.com.
The incident started around 8:45 p.m. Monday when police say they were called about a group of people fighting and breaking the windows of a home in the 100 block of LaBelle Street SE, located between Division and Jefferson avenues.
As officers pulled up to the scene, they say the caller told them the suspects drove off in a black Ford Explorer, which officers pulled over nearby.
During the traffic stop, officers say they determined one of the men in the car had a warrant out for his arrest. Officers say when they informed the suspect, he became “uncooperative and a struggle ensued.” The Grand Rapids Police Department says the other people in the SUV also tried to interfere with the arrest.
Witness videoshows an officer kicking someone on the ground twice and another officer punching the same person at least once.
GRPD said officers called in backup because of the “unsafe situation,” but did not elaborate on the force officers used.
Police say two people in the SUV were eventually arrested for outstanding warrants and four others were charged with resisting and obstructing a police officer.
Following protocol, the GRPD says its internal affairs unit will review the incident and release dashcam and officer body camera video of the incident.