Video shows security at Uptown transit center punch, kick 17-year-old girl

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A video circulating on social media shows a private security officer beating a 17-year-old at the CATS Transit Center in Uptown Charlotte, but security officials say it doesn’t show the full picture.

The video posted on the ‘charlittt.nc’ Instagram page shows an officer slam the girl to the ground before hitting and kicking her.

The incident happened Tuesday afternoon in front of the Transit Center on Trade Street. Security officials say the 17-year-old had already been banned from the transit system for conduct violations and is accused of spitting on and biting an officer before the camera started rolling.

“Because they’re security, I don’t think they should retaliate. I think it could’ve been a different way, that’s horrible” Ebony, CATS Rider said.

The officers shown on the video work for Professional Police and Security Services contracted by CATS to secure transit property.

Private officers are governed by use of force policies for the company and the state’s Private Protective Services Board.

In a statement, Celestine Ratliff, Deputy Chief of Operations at Professional Police Services says, “PSS is cognizant of the incident and has initiated two investigations: a Criminal Investigation and an Internal Investigation regarding the matter. The Criminal Investigation will concentrate on applicable criminal laws and the actions of the officers involved. Upon the conclusion of this investigation, the Criminal Investigator will present the findings to the District Attorney’s office for their review. The Internal Affairs Investigation will likewise assess the actions of the officers, comparing them to our policies and procedures, as well as to our training and tactics. Both investigations will be conducted thoroughly and comprehensively, taking into account the totality of the circumstances.”

Some riders say the video makes it tough to trust security officers.

“If I need you, and I see you do that to somebody, I wouldn’t go to them because I don’t know the outcome. I don’t know if you’re having a bad day but I wouldn’t want to get punched in the face,” Ebony, CATS Rider said.

PSS did not go into detail about the officer’s status because they say it’s a personnel matter. They did say she has been re-assigned pending the outcome of the investigation. A criminal investigator will collect evidence and facts to take to the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office to decide if charges should be filed.