Footage which shows a police officer appearing to exercise unnecessary force against a teenage girl in full view of her teacher and peers has attracted widespread criticism.
The video which has been circulating on social media platforms has yet again called into question the treatment received by the black community at the hands of the police in the United States.
The confrontation, which took place at Spring Valley High School in South Carolina, is said to have stemmed from the supposedly 'disruptive' student's refusal to comply with instructions.
Upon being told to 'take action', police officer Ben Fields can be seen forcible removing the teenage girl from her seat, dragging her across the classroom and bodyslamming her on the ground.
Commenting on the footage which has caused uproar among the school district's Black Parents Association and the American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina, sheriff, Leon Lott, acknowledged the 'disturbing' nature of the footage.
Speaking to NBC News affiliate WIS, Sheriff Lott attempted to outline the timeline of events, indicated that the student at the centre of the case had been disruptive and said: "The video then shows the student resisting and being arrested,"
Equally concerned by the display of brutality, school district superintendent, Debbie Hamm, insisted that a child's welfare will always takes precedence, saying: "Student safety is and always will be the district's top priority. We will not tolerate any actions that jeopardise the safety of our students."
"Pending the outcome of the investigation, we have directed that the school resource officer not return to any school in the district," she finished.
According to Richland County Sheriff's Department spokesman, Curtis Wilson, Officer Fields has been placed on administrative leave pending the results of a full investigation into the incident.
