Video Shows Fort Lauderdale Cop Slapping Homeless Man Who Wanted to Use Restroom: "You're N
UPDATE: Victor Ramirez, the Fort Lauderdale police officer seen in this video slapping a homeless man who wanted to use a public restroom, didn't bother mentioning the slapping part in the arrest report he filed.
A video is being shared online of what appears to be a Fort Lauderdale Police officer pushing a man to the ground before delivering a vicious slap -- all because the man wanted to use a public restroom.
In the video, which appears to take place at the Broward Central Bus Terminal in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Bruce Laclair walks slowly through the terminal while the officer follows behind, slipping on latex gloves. Officer Victor Ramirez then grabs the man's arm, and the man jerks away -- that's when the officer pushes him to the ground.
See also: Fort Lauderdale Cop Who Slapped Homeless Man Omits Slap in Arrest Report
Laclair, lying on the ground, shouts "Fuck you!" at the cop, who responds by pointing his latex-covered finger at the man and saying, "Relax. I'm telling you right now what's gonna happen. I'm telling you right now what's gonna happen. I'm escorting you out right now." "I want to go pee," pleads Laclair.
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"You're not going to go pee," Ramirez answers. "You're not supposed to pee here."
Moments later, the Fort Lauderdale cop reaches back and smacks Laclair across his face.
The officer then accuses the man of "trying to fight me," which the video clearly shows did not happen.
After placing Laclair in handcuffs, Ramirez proceeds to deliver a lecture: "I tell you what to do and you do it. It's that simple," he says. See also: Biking While Black Still a Crime in Fort Lauderdale, According to New Data
The video has been shared thousands of times on Facebook and eventually got around to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. Officials say Ramirez has been placed on paid administrative leave as an investigation is conducted.
Laclair was arrested for trespassing. He was released Monday.
Meanwhile, the video continues to make the rounds on social media, with many outraged by the completely unnecessary use of force by Ramirez. "I usually support cops 100%, but there was no need for this," said one Facebook commenter.
