BLM activists march in Harlem, New York against NYPD officer punching Tamani Crum: Watch

On Friday, Black Lives Matters activists were marching through Harlem to demand that the NYPD officer who punched the woman be held accountable. 

In response to concerns raised by a cellphone video that showed a cop punching a woman, 19, and knocking her to the sidewalk, the NYPD released the body camera footage of an officer’s encounter with the woman in Harlem. 

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On West 136th Street near Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard on Tuesday, the alleged incident took place while police attempted to apprehend a man for attempted murder, according to the police. According to the police, at least three persons were detained for attempting to obstruct the arrest, including Tamani Crum, a 19-year-old woman who can be seen in the video approaching the cops and assaulting a detective.

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The detective responds in the video by giving Crum a right hook to the head. Upon collision, she is thrown backward and hits her head on the sidewalk. The NYPD initially detained Crum, a hairstylist, on several offences, including assaulting an officer. She was accused of obstruction, the agency stated in an updated statement on Thursday.

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The police made further clarificataions. Police were “attempting to take an individual into custody when a struggle ensued and a crowd formed around the officers. The individual was carrying in his waistband an illegal, loaded semiautomatic Polymer 80 handgun, known as a ‘ghost gun.’ The NYPD officers removed yet another illegal firearm – and the person brazen enough to carry it in public – from the streets of our city,” the statement said.

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According to the report, the woman was still alive after falling, and the detective attempted to fight Crum off with an “open hand.” She requested to be taken to the hospital, according to the police. Obstruction charges were also brought against two additional women.

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“This incident, including the conduct of the officer who used force, is under ongoing review by our Internal Affairs Bureau’s Force Group. All police body-worn camera footage, as well as other video surveillance from the area and witness statements, are being gathered and reviewed,” NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said. “While the NYPD is committed to the safety of all New Yorkers, we are also committed to transparency. Therefore, I have expedited the release of the officers’ body-worn camera.”