YouTube video of violent arrest triggers FBI probe

Scroll down to watch the footage. Warning: Strong violence

The officer and his partner described repeated blows to the suspect's face in their written arrest report, as well as efforts by the man to resist and their concern that the man might grab one of their guns, according to the document obtained by the media.

Federal investigators initiated a civil rights inquiry Thursday after the video from the three-month-old incident came to the bureau's attention Thursday, FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said.

The footage, shot by an area resident, shows two officers holding down William Cardenas, 24, on a sidewalk as one punches him several times in the face before they are able to handcuff him. The struggling suspect yells repeatedly, "I can't breathe!"

The Police Department has begun its own criminal and administrative investigations into the officers' use of force during the August 11 arrest, said police spokesman Lt. Paul Vernon.

The officers were identified as Alexander Schlegel and Patrick Farrell, and both have been reassigned to administrative work.

"There's no denying that the video is disturbing," Chief William Bratton said at a news conference. "But as to whether the actions of the officers were appropriate in light of what they were experiencing and the totality of the circumstances is what the investigation will determine."

Authorities learned of the video footage, which has been posted on YouTube, when the defense made it public September 14 during Cardenas' preliminary hearing, police said.

The district attorney's office is reviewing whether to continue with the Cardenas case, which is scheduled for trial November 20, said spokeswoman Jane Robison.