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Police chief ‘sickened’ after watching violent arrest of US teacher

A Texas teacher has received a public apology after she was slammed to the ground by a police officer and told that black people had ‘violent tendencies’.

The June 15 incident involving Breaion King and two police officers happened during a traffic stop.

A patrol car video of Ms King’s arrest heightened national attention and tension over police treatment of black people.

Officer Bryan Richter nearly threw King into an adjacent truck in the parking lot of a Wendy's fast food restaurant after pulling her over for going 15 mph over the speed limit around lunchtime.

Following a struggle, King was handcuffed and driven to jail by Officer Patrick Spradlin, who told her that "I don't blame" whites for being afraid because of violence in the black community.

Footage of the violent assault has sparked further outrage over police violence in the US.
Footage of the violent assault has sparked further outrage over police violence in the US.
Ms King has since received an apology from police. Photo: Yahoo US
Ms King has since received an apology from police. Photo: Yahoo US

King, an elementary school teacher, didn't file a complaint after her arrest and said Friday she didn't know she had that option at the time.

Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo said he is "disgusted" by the comments heard on the video and has put both officers on desk duty pending an internal investigation.

Prosecutors have also opened a criminal investigation against the officer who threw King to the ground.

Newly released footage of the arrest is the latest in a string of videos showing tense encounters between police and black people across the US.

The most charged run-ins in recent weeks have been fatal, setting off protests, police officers being fatally shot and President Barack Obama holding a televised town hall on race.