Video of a woman's arrest outside of a Madison mall has gained national attention, with critics accusing police of using excessive force.
The video shows Madison Police kneeing and punching Genele Laird, 18, while attempting to arrest her outside of the East Towne Mall. Madison Police will conduct an internal review of the officers involved in the arrest.
Mall security called police after Laird was "out of control" in the mall food court, brandishing a knife and threatening an employee about an allegedly stolen cell phone, according to police. She also threatened to kill mall security, according to the incident report.
"She indicated that she had a knife and was willing to stab someone, and there was a flash of that knife being displayed to that individual employee," said Madison Police Chief Mike Koval.
When police arrived, Laird resisted arrest as police told her to get on the ground, Chief Koval said. She kicked, scratched, threatened, and spit on one officer, he said.
That prompted police to place a spit hood over her head.
"Despite repeated attempts that were verbally toned and directed for her to stop resisting, to put her hands behind her back, that wasn't occurring," Chief Koval said.
The video shows that police responded by using a stun gun, as well as punching and kneeing her several times to get her onto the ground.
Laird faces charges of disorderly conduct while armed, resisting police (causing injury), battery to police officer, and discharge of bodily fluids.
Chief Koval met with Laird's family and city leaders Wednesday to discuss the incident.
In response to the arrest and video, about 30 people protested police Tuesday night outside the Public Safety Building in Madison.
A bystander recorded the incident and posted it on Facebook. It was taken down, but a version was sent to Youtube.
Two officers were treated for injuries at the hospital. Police and the District Attorney are both investigating.
Watch the original report from NBC Affiliate WMTV in Madison:
