Editor’s Note: The below video could be considered shocking or disturbing to the viewer. Viewer discretion is advised.
Police officials said they are shocked and disturbed after a video shared on social media shows a Round Lake Beach police officer punching a woman in the face after she bit the officer.
The Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District and Round Lake Beach Police Department responded around 6:30 p.m. Saturday to the Lakefront Park in Round Lake Beach for a call of a woman experiencing a mental health crisis.
A video taken and sent to Lake and McHenry County Scanner shows a woman strapped down to an ambulance stretcher surrounded by several paramedics and police officers.
The video shows a police officer strike the woman three times in the face. The woman recording the video can be heard saying, “They just punched her in the face.”
The woman recording the video then confronts the officers. The officer who struck the woman tells the woman taking the video that the woman on the stretcher bit him.
“The video is shocking to see, and the Round Lake Beach Police Department is committed to ensuring that an external review of the incident takes place,” police officials said in a statement Saturday evening.
Both the woman on the stretcher and the officer received treatment at area hospitals.
“While striking a person who is actively biting an officer is within policy, the video is disturbing. To ensure that all officers followed proper policies and procedures, the Round Lake Beach Police Department will look to have an external evaluation of the incident,” officials added.