Oklahoma officer admits to punching student in face, placed on administrative leave

A video has been released of an Oklahoma police officer allegedly punching a 16-year-old student in the face.

The incident, involving school resource officer Thomas Jaha, is reported to have taken place on Oct. 9.

According to KFOR News, Jaha was at U.S. Grant High School when he saw a student in the hall without a pass. Jaha  told the teenage boy multiple times to return to the gym, however, the victim ignored the order and that’s when Jaha approached the student.

Jaha claims the student took a fighting stance and in defence he punched the student in the face. Jaha then punched the victim in the face a second time when the teen took another fighting stance.

The school surveillance video that has been released shows the altercation between Jaha and the unidentified student but not the exact moments the school officer admitted to the assault.

View image in full screen

Oklahoma City Police Capt. Paco Balderrama told KFOR News the officer’s actions were not justified.

“Although officers obviously have the right to defend themselves – they have the right to use physical force to protect themselves, protect the public, in this particular case the force was not appropriate to the incident,” Balderrama said to KFOR.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Although officers obviously have the right to defend themselves - they have the right to use physical force to protect themselves, protect the public, in this particular case the force was not appropriate to the incident," Balderrama said to KFOR.

This event comes just days after a South Carolina officer was fired for forcefully removing a female student from her desk and tossing her across the classroom floor.

READ MORE: South Carolina officer fired after violent classroom arrest

Jaha could face charges of assault and battery.

Jaha has been with the Oklahoma City police department for 25 years. He is currently on administrative leave.