DC council members call for reform after 'systematically unacceptable' handcuffing of 9-year-old boy

The incident is currently being investigated by Washington DC Attorney General Karl Racine, who called the video ‘obviously concerning’

Police forces in the US capital are being called to make comprehensive changes to policing after a video emerged of a nine-year-old child of colour being ‘horse collared’ and handcuffed by an officer in the city.

The young man had allegedly spoken back to an officer while leaning against a car. The officer then began to chase the boy before grabbing him by the collar and proceeding to handcuff him.

This incident follows a similar one in March, where a 10-year-old boy was handcuffed. Neither of the boys were charged.

The incident is currently being investigated by Washington DC Attorney General Karl Racine, who called the video ‘obviously concerning’.

Local politician and Ward 6 council member Charles Allen wrote an open letter to the police chief, saying, “Even if the officers involved followed [Metropolitan Police Department] policies and protocols, the response was individually and systematically unacceptable.”

Council member Robert White Jr also shared his thoughts on the incident and the negative impact it will have on the community, saying, “What happened there was absolutely unnecessary as a parent it was devastating to me.

"I imagine what my reaction would be if I saw one of my children being treated like this by the people who really are here to protect them and for this young man and his friends, I have to understand the impact that that’s going to have on them and their trust of the police.”

A spokeswoman for the police department said “MPD officers were in the vicinity during their normal patrol, making contact with residents when the incident occurred. The nine-year-old boy was not charged with any crimes. As with all use of force incidents, this is currently under internal investigation.” She also referred to to the police departments’ standards of conduct with arresting minors.

The arresting officer, while under review for his conduct, is still employed by the MPD and is still on patrol.