The Miami Police Department (MPD) has launched an immediate and intensive Internal Affairs investigation following a controversial arrest this weekend involving a member of the Saudi Arabian royal family. The probe centers on body camera footage that appears to show a veteran officer deliberately obscuring his lens moments before Prince Tariq al-Saud—who was being detained on a public disturbance charge—alleges he was slapped while in police custody.
The incident occurred early Saturday morning outside an exclusive South Beach nightclub where officers were called in response to reports of a violent altercation. MPD initially stated the Prince was combative and non-compliant during his arrest.
The Footage of the Freeze
The footage released by the department shows Officer David Rodriguez, a ten-year veteran, struggling to secure the Prince, who appears verbally belligerent but physically restrained against the side of a patrol car.
The critical moment occurs at the 1:17 mark in the video timeline. Officer Rodriguez’s hand can be seen moving toward the camera mounted on his chest. For approximately three seconds, the video feed goes black, consistent with the lens being completely covered. When the video resumes, the Prince is visibly recoiling, and a loud, sharp “smack” sound is faintly audible on the audio track moments before the blackout.
“When the video goes dark, the audio is still recording,” said MPD Chief Isabella Chavez in a brief statement Sunday. “We heard a sound that has caused us significant concern, and the Prince’s attorney has alleged that our officer used unnecessary force.”
The Prince’s legal team, led by high-profile attorney Elias Vance, claims the blackout was intentional and strategically timed.
“My client was calm but refusing to cooperate with a routine search. The officer had a moment of unchecked rage, covered the camera to create a blind spot, and assaulted a man in custody,” Vance asserted. “That slap was a clear violation of his civil rights and police protocol.”
Diplomatic Concerns Mount
Beyond the local criminal implications, the incident threatens to spiral into a delicate diplomatic matter. The Saudi Embassy in Washington D.C. has reportedly reached out to the U.S. State Department regarding the “unjustifiable treatment” of a national.
“The fact that a law enforcement officer allegedly assaulted a foreign dignitary, and then attempted to conceal the action on video, is highly concerning,” stated a source familiar with the diplomatic efforts. “The response from Miami Police will be scrutinized at the highest levels of both governments.”
Officer Rodriguez has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the internal investigation. The MPD Union, while acknowledging the seriousness of the video, emphasized the stressful nature of the job.