Video shows San Joaquin County officer hitting handcuffed man

A San Joaquin County correctional officer faces charges after allegedly hitting a handcuffed man in an assault that officials say was recorded on surveillance video.|
ASSOCIATED PRESS
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

STOCKTON - A California correctional officer faces charges after allegedly hitting a handcuffed man in an assault that officials say was recorded on surveillance video.

Prosecutors on Tuesday released footage that shows a man with his hands cuffed behind his back sitting on a floor wearing a hood to prevent him from spitting. Officials say the man had become combative after being detained for public intoxication. The clip shows an officer enter and strike the man on the side of the head. The force makes him fall over.

KCRA-TV reports the 35-second video was recorded last August in San Joaquin County Jail.

The district attorney's office says Officer Matthew Mettler has been charged with a misdemeanor count of assault by a public officer. It wasn't known if he has an attorney. He's due in court March 26.

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