US police officer fired after video shows him repeatedly punching black man

The deputy – who has not been named – is sacked for “excessive use of force” during the arrest of Roderick Walker

A police officer in the US has been fired after he was filmed repeatedly punching a black man during a traffic stop.

The deputy – who has not been named – has been sacked for “excessive use of force” on Roderick Walker, Clayton County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia said.

A criminal investigation is under way.

Mr Walker was arrested on Friday after officers pulled over the vehicle he was travelling in for an alleged broken rear light.

The 26-year-old was with his girlfriend, their five-month-old child and his stepson at the time, his lawyer Shean Williams said.

The officers asked for Mr Walker’s identification and demanded he get out of the vehicle when he questioned why they needed it since he was not driving, the lawyer added.

The subsequent arrest, which was filmed by a bystander and shared widely on social media, shows two officers on top of Mr Walker, one of whom repeatedly punches him.