News 12 video tapes Phoenix Police beating Original Article Police in scuffle with carjack suspect David J. Cieslak The Arizona Republic Nov. 24, 2004 12:00 AM Phoenix police are investigating the actions of several officers involved in a scuffle Tuesday afternoon with a handcuffed carjacking suspect. The officers were arresting a 23-year-old man, one of two suspects accused of assaulting and robbing a pregnant woman at gunpoint outside a supermarket near 43rd Avenue and Thomas Road, Phoenix police Sgt. Randy Force said. The woman was not seriously injured in the attack. After assaulting the woman, the gunman forced her into the vehicle and led police on a high-speed pursuit that ended at Thomas and 27th Avenue, authorities said. The suspect then jumped out of the vehicle and began running from officers. When police caught up with the suspect, a crew from 12 News inside the television station's helicopter videotaped officers striking the handcuffed suspect several times. Among the actions shown on the unedited tape: An officer throws his body into the suspect, who was facing a wall and did not appear to be resisting. Once the suspect is on the ground, an officer strikes him twice in the torso with his hand. Officers then drag the suspect in the dirt before an officer places a foot on his midsection. An officer talks to the suspect with his hand on the man's head and neck, clearly placing a large amount of weight on him. The officers roll the man onto his back and begin searching his pockets. A short time later, an officer punches him in the groin. They flip the man back over and an officer stands on the back of the suspect's left knee for a few seconds. As police walk the suspect to a patrol car, an officer strikes the suspect's face with his elbow. Force said the officers will not be investigated for criminal misconduct, but an administrative review of the incident was under way Tuesday night. "It's believed the officers' conduct constitutes an issue with our policies, but not a violation of law," Force said. "Looking at the tape, there are concerns about the officers' actions and whether the force used was reasonable under the circumstances. That is going to be the focus of the internal investigation." Force and members of the department's Professional Standards Bureau and Special Investigations Detail reviewed the tape Tuesday night at 12 News. The officer who initially tackled the suspect declined to comment when contacted at the scene by 12 News. Police also took the other robbery suspect into custody.