Dashcam video footage shows a South Jersey police officer kicking a handcuffed man in the face while he was on the ground.
Penns Grove police Officer George J. Manganaro, 29, was charged on Nov. 28 with aggravated assault and suspended from the police department after the incident occurred Thanksgiving morning in Carneys Point.
The one-minute video, obtained by NJ.com, shows 22-year-old Xaviel Ramos of Hopatcong in handcuffs after he had allegedly been trying to break into a home. Ramos begins to walk away but is pulled back by Manganaro and another officer, and put on the ground.
Ramos then appears to attempt to get up when Manganaro is seen kicking him in the head, knocking him back down and causing Ramos' cap to fly off his head.
Penns Grove Police Chief John Stranahan Sr. called the incident unacceptable in a statement to NJ.com. "Our officers must adhere to the core values established by our department policies," he said.
A use of force report filed for the incident reportedly states that Ramos was resisting police officer control and was under the influence.
He reportedly told the officers that he was trying to break into the home to get out of the cold.
Ramos and Manganaro are expected to appear separately in court for their respective charges in January.