Mayor Rawlings-Blake Denounces Officer's Actions In Brutality Video

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is criticizing an officer after surveillance video surfaced showing him repeatedly punching a man.

Rawlings-Blake said Wednesday that she's watched the video of the June beating several times. She says she can't "figure out under what circumstances was that the right thing to do."

The mayor also said she's considering tackling a state law that critics say makes it too difficult to fire police officers who abuse their power.

The law prevents officers from being immediately fired and instead allows them an internal trial process involving three police employees. Officers get four chances to reject who sits on the panel.

Officer Vincent Cosom was placed on leave Monday, the same day the man he's shown beating in the video filed a $5 million lawsuit against him.

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