Video shows auxiliary officer allegedly punching minor
It shows what appears to be a Mount Vernon auxiliary police officer allegedly punching a young person outside of a McDonald's recently.
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People in Mount Vernon are reacting to a video that is circulating online that appears to show a now-suspended Mount Vernon auxiliary officer allegedly punching a minor.
A video posted on Facebook is blowing up.
It shows what appears to be a Mount Vernon auxiliary police officer allegedly punching a young person outside of a McDonald's recently.
"I was a little shocked," resident Henry Lewis says of the video.
"They are [mis]behaving and somebody has to get control," another community member says.
Mount Vernon police say they're aware of the video.
They released a statement saying it allegedly involves an off-duty civilian employee of the police department who also serves as an auxiliary officer.
The volunteer role is described on the city's website as a police support position.
"He needs to be punished for that because that was unacceptable," community member Tasha Logan says.
It's unclear what led to the incident, but a city spokesperson says the officer has been suspended with pay.
"He needs to do what he needs to do to face what he needs to face," Logan says.
The incident also has Lewis calling for a review of auxiliary police practices.
"It's all about training," Lewis says.
Others say kids in the community need to show more respect.
"Maybe the police reaction is so aggressive. But it depends, too, because a lot of kids are [mis]behaving. When they come in the school, they don't respect people," one woman says.
Mount Vernon officials say an investigation is underway.
