Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NYPD Investigating Video Of Cop Punching Man
By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 3, 2015
Modified Apr 9, 2018
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 3, 2015
Modified Apr 9, 2018
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
After a video of a police officer boxing and punching a man—who was apparently resisting arrest—turned viral, the NYPD's Internal Affairs is looking into the incident. But, shockingly, it doesn't seem the officer will be reprimanded.
An onlooker posted a video to Facebook, showing his friend, Saykour George, who was refusing to be arrested by two plainclothes police officers on Frederick Douglass Boulevard between West 130th and West 131st Streets in Harlem.
Jun Iceaa told NBC New York that, "George had small pocketknife in his pocket, but 'the way [the officer] really approached us, was like he really had a grudge against my man, like he know him from somewhere.'" He had written on Facebook:
Police brutality, Me and my men Goodbrotha Saykou just came from the pizza shop walking home got stop by the cops. They didn't tell him why he got stop in the first place ,they ask for his ID, he gave it to them.. ya watch the rest of it and let me know if the stop or arrest was justify
The friend also insisted that the officer never told George that he was being arrested, "The officer swung at him how many times before my man swung? You have to defend yourself if you know you're not under arrest."
Police brutality, Me and my men Goodbrotha Saykou just came from the pizza shop walking home got stop by the cops. They didn't tell him why he got stop in the first place ,they ask for his ID, he gave it to them.. ya watch the rest of it and let me know if the stop or arrest was justify #AssassinStyle!!
Posted by Jun Iceaa on Wednesday, July 1, 2015
A police expert at John Jay College, Maki Haverfeld, told WABC 7, "I think the police officers actually showed a lot of restraint. They didn't reach out for any impact techniques or tools"
Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said, "My preliminary review, I saw nothing inappropriate with the officers' behavior. We will look at the partner, what she was doing during this process, and the responding officers as we always do."
George was charged with assault on an officer, possession of a weapon and disorderly conduct.
Tagged
harlem
police boxing
saykour george
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 10:34 a.m. ET
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
News
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD searching for 'person of interest' in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .