Video: NM cop, man scuffle during arrest

Albuquerque police officials have launched an Internal Affairs investigation of an altercation between one of its officers and a man

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By Jeff Proctor
Albuquerque Journal

ALBUQUERQUE — Albuquerque police officials have launched an Internal Affairs investigation of an altercation between one of its officers and a man, which was caught on cellphone video Downtown on Friday night.

Officer Andrew Hsu is the target of the investigation, Deputy Police Chief Beth Paiz said Tuesday.

The video, which was posted to YouTube and later to KOB-TV's website, will be part of the IA investigation, Paiz said.

It shows an altercation between Hsu and Jayson Bernard. The two men scuffle, and Hsu appears to throw at least one punch at Bernard. It is unclear whether Bernard is trying to fight back, but Hsu eventually pins him on the ground and handcuffs him.

"The YouTube video doesn't tell me the whole story," Paiz said. "But we have lapel cam video from at least one of the officers, three incident reports and the 911 calls that came in. All of that will be part of the Internal Affairs investigation."

Hsu detained Bernard for a time after the altercation, but he did not arrest him, Paiz said.

"That will also be part of the internal investigation," she said, adding that Hsu has not been placed on leave.

She said the incident came after a large fight involving several people. She said four officers, including Hsu, and a sergeant were trying to separate people who appeared to have been involved. Several were arrested, Paiz said, but she did not have their names.

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