Westminster Cop Under Investigation For Striking A Cuffed Suspect

WESTMINSTER, CA —The Orange County District Attorney's Office will investigate the excessive use-of-force allegations against a Westminster Police officer caught on a smartphone video punching a handcuffed woman in the face.

That officer, whose name has not been released, has been placed on administrative leave during a subsequent investigation of their actions.

On Wednesday at about 4 p.m., three Westminster Police officers arrived at the scene on the 14100 block of Locust Street. There, a woman, identified as Ciomara Garcia of Westminster, was accused of assaulting another woman who was trying to rescue a dog running down the street, Westminster Commander Alan Iwashita said.

Garcia had an outstanding warrant for vandalism, he said.

The officers handcuffed her and were awaiting paramedics because she appeared to be intoxicated at the time.

The video shows Garcia becoming "combative" with officers and while trying to restrain her, police said.

During the incident, one of three officers punched her twice in the face.

His partners quickly removed him from the situation, in an effort to "de-escalate" the situation, Iwashita said.

A resident who took the video of the incident provided it to police.

Officials have placed the unidentified officer on paid administrative leave during an Internal Affairs investigation, he said.

Garcia was booked for assault and battery on the other woman, being under the influence of a drug, resisting arrest and assault on a police officer, Iwashita said.

Police were "well aware" of the cell phone video shared on social media and wanted to assure the public the department was taking the matter seriously, Iwashita said.

Read also: OC Jail Inmate Scalded, 3 Deputies Placed On Administrative Leave

City News Service, Patch Editor Ashley Ludwig contributed to this report.