Police departments face scrutiny over viral videos of alleged excessive force

Police departments in the United States and Belgium are facing scrutiny following the release of viral videos appearing to show officers using excessive force.

In Lafayette, Louisiana, the Lafayette Police Department has launched an internal investigation after video footage circulated online showing an officer slamming a teenager to the ground. The local NAACP president shared the footage, which has prompted a review to determine if department policy regarding the use of force was violated. This incident follows other recent controversies involving Lafayette police, including videos from June and August involving violent confrontations and the handling of handcuffed individuals.

In Nivelles, Belgium, a video has sparked public outrage showing a male officer slapping a handcuffed woman across the face and forcefully shoving her into a police van. The incident occurred as officers were attempting to detain the woman following a minor traffic accident. While some social media users have condemned the act as an abuse of power, others have defended the officer's necessity to manage a resisting individual.