Maryland police say officers ‘permitted to use force’ in cases of resistance after videos show violent arrests

Police in Ocean City, Md., released a statement Sunday saying its officers “are permitted to use force” on subjects resisting arrest following the circulation of social media videos showing an officer driving his knee into a subject and another officer deploying a Taser during an incident with multiple arrests.

"We are aware of the social media videos circulating regarding this incident. Our officers are permitted to use force, per their training, to overcome exhibited resistance," the statement said. "All uses of force go through a detailed review process. The uses of force from these arrests will go through a multi-level examination by the Assistant Patrol Commander, the Division Commander and then by the Office of Professional Standards." One video shows a man with his hands up as a group of officers stands in front of him. The officers can be heard ordering him to the ground. The man appears to lower one hand to unhook a strap of his backpack when an officer deploys a Taser. The man yells and collapses to the ground as witnesses scream.