Ten deputies on leave in brutal on-camera arrest in California

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Ten sheriff’s deputies in San Bernadino county, California, have been placed on leave, after what the sheriff is calling an excessive use of force.

A news helicopter was recording as a man, identified as Jared Pusok, 30, allegedly attempted to flee from police on a stolen horse. First, he was hit with a stun gun. Afterward Pusko was on the ground with his hands behind his back, two sherriff’s deputies immediately descended on him and begin punching him in the head and kneeing him in the groin.

The group surrounding him grew to 13 sheriff’s deputies at one point. A report from NBC4 in Los Angeles says over two minutes, Pusok received 37 punches, 17 kicks and 4 baton blows, which added he went 45 minutes before receiving medical attention.

San Bernardino county sheriff John McMahon is urging people to reserve judgment until a full investigation is complete. “I can certainly understand the concern in the community based on what they saw on the video.”

“I’m disturbed by what I see in the video. But I don’t need to jump to conclusions at this point until we do a complete and thorough investigation. If our deputy sheriffs did something wrong, they’ll be put off work and they’ll be dealt with appropriately, all in accordance with the law as well as our department policy.”

Pusok was hospitalized with unknown injuries.

Three deputies were also treated in hospital after the incident. Two suffered dehydration and a third was injured when kicked by the horse.

Related: Sheriff: Arrest Beating at End of High Desert Horse Pursuit “Appears to Be Excessive”