The Rhode Island Attorney General's Office and the Providence Police Department are investigating the conduct of two police officers during an arrest over the Fourth of July weekend.
The incident unfolded after police had been clearing traffic from the city's fireworks show near India Point Park and arranged for an abandoned vehicle to be towed.
The Black Lives Matter RI Political Action Committee released a statement on Wednesday claiming officers used excessive force while arresting the vehicle owner who came back and protested the tow, Armando Rivas of Providence.
Video appears to show one of the officers slamming Rivas' face to the pavement.
A police report claims the 21-year-old Rivas was reaching towards his waistband, and he was allegedly found to be possession of a knife.
Neither officer who was involved in the arrest has been removed from duty.
It is unclear how long the joint investigation will take.
(Photo Credit: Providence Police Department)