Park Police Accused of Excessive Force Against Journalists on IG
The US Park Police used excessive force against two Australian journalists while clearing a protest near the White House in June 2020, according to a report by the Interior Department's Office of Inspector General. One officer violated policy by using his baton to strike a retreating reporter who did not pose a threat, while the second officer did not employ the "minimum level of reasonable force" when he later pushed the journalist's camera. The incident led to a congressional investigation and angered the Australian government, which requested an investigation after the incident aired on live television.