Investigation underway after video shows NYPD officer boxing with suspect in Harlem

NEW YORK -- The NYPD is investigating a videotaped confrontation between an officer and a suspect on the street, with authorities attempting to determine whether the use of force was justified.

Saykou George and his friend Jun Ice were walking along Frederick Douglas Boulevard near 131st Street in Harlem Wednesday afternoon when they were stopped by police. Jun Ice said something didn't feel right, so he started recording on his cell phone.

The 30-year-old George is seen in the video getting his wallet out for police, but within seconds, it escalated to pushing and shoving as George tried to walk away after the officer took his license and got out his handcuffs.

The officer punched George while his female partner called for backup, then the men seemingly started boxing, circling one another and throwing punches.

Minutes later, responding officers showed up and tackled the man to the ground.

"The cops instigated the whole situation," Jun Ice said. "We weren't arguing, we weren't fighting, we were just walking home. There was no reason for them to stop us."

Police say officers initially stopped George because they noticed he had a knife clipped to his pants pocket. Commissioner William Bratton said Internal Affairs is looking into the details surrounding the stop and arrest.

"My preliminary review, I saw nothing inappropriate with the officers' behavior," he said. "We will look at the partner, what she was doing during this process, and the responding officers, as we always do."

PBA president Pat Lynch released the following statement:

"This is a textbook example of an individual who was spotted with a weapon resisting arrest, attempting to walk away and the two police officers involved doing exactly what they must do to take the man into custody. Given the current atmosphere on the streets today, people mistakenly think that they have the right to resist arrest and that inevitably leads to confrontation and potential injury. The use of force in making an arrest is always ugly but is absolutely necessary and appropriate when the suspect resists. These two officers did their job, they did it appropriately and they are to be commended for a job well done."

But family members, including the suspect's mother, grandmother and cousin, say this is clearly a case of police brutality.

"I watched the video," cousin Roosevelt Taylor said. "He didn't make a call to dispatch or say what he was stopped for. You're not telling me, I'm under arrest, but you pull out hand cuffs and tell me I have to go in the back of your car for what reason?"

Police expert and John Jay College Professor Maki Haverfeld reviewed the video.

"I think the police officers actually showed a lot of restraint," he said. "They didn't reach out for any impact techniques or tools."

George was released on his own recognizance following his arraignment on felony assault, obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest and possession of a knife worn outside of clothing.