NYPD Claims Francis Romaine Choked an Officer but Video Shows 4 Provocative Cops Grab, Punch and Throw the Defenseless Black Man to the Pavement and Hold Him Down by Pressing a Knee Into His Neck

From [HERE] The NYPD has launched an internal investigation after video emerged showing officers punching a Black man as they placed him under arrest. 

Video exclusively obtained by CBS2 shows officers from the 40th Precinct holding the man's hands back as another repeatedly punches him in the head. 

The exclusive video shows the violent arrest of a Black man by NYPD officers. 

It happened at Prospect Avenue and East 149th Street Sunday, April 16. Contrary to Dependent media video shows an NYPD officer getting into the face of a Black man and then initiating force against him by grabbing his shirt, pushing him backward and then fighting him. In a matter of seconds, four officers surrounded him. Three officers held his arms down as one repeatedly punched him in the head before throwing him to the ground. A female officer appears to employ the unauthorized tactic of leaning on the man's neck to make the arrest. 

The NYPD said officers were conducting an investigation when 29-year-old Francis Romaine approached them "aggressively," and refused multiple orders to back away. When officers tried to arrest him, police say Romaine choked a sergeant. However, the video reveals that the police lied as the Black man is defenseless and does not appear to fight back as cops attack him.

Romaine was arrested multiple charges, including assault on a police officer and resisting arrest. He has since made bail and is out of jail.