Unnecessary Force Costs Officer His Job

DALLAS (AP) — A Dallas police officer has been fired for using excessive force in a videotaped incident in which a suspected panhandler was pinned to the ground.  

Dallas police on Monday announced the dismissal of Officer Jesus Martinez. He was charged with misdemeanor official oppression following the June incident captured on cellphone video by someone passing by.

A police union spokesman, on behalf of Martinez, says the officer was attacked and held the suspect until backup arrived.

The video shows Martinez on top of the handcuffed and face-down man. Police say Martinez raised the man's left elbow until it touched the back of his head as the suspect screams. The man was later charged with resisting arrest.

An internal investigation concluded Martinez, who'd been a Dallas officer since 2006, used unnecessary force.