Seattle police officer punches girl in face (video)

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Mohican00's avatar

Mohican00

Dirty White Boy

3,394 posts
Jun 16, 2010 6:28 AM
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/96353934.html

"SEATTLE -- Seattle police are investigating what they call an assault of an officer in South Seattle.

However, a police officer is seen punching a 17-year-old girl in the face during the incident captured by a video camera on Monday."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9w9AfptGGQ&feature=player_embedded


Was that proper use of force for a minor violation? Could he have handled the situation better?
Jun 16, 2010 6:28am
ZWICK 4 PREZ's avatar

ZWICK 4 PREZ

Senior Member

7,733 posts
Jun 16, 2010 6:42 AM
Seattle must be the safest city in the world if you get arrested for jay walking.
Jun 16, 2010 6:42am
iclfan2's avatar

iclfan2

Reppin' the 330/216/843

6,360 posts
Jun 16, 2010 7:51 AM
She totally deserved it.
Jun 16, 2010 7:51am
T

Tiernan

Senior Member

13,021 posts
Jun 16, 2010 8:11 AM
Always easy to see 20 / 20 after the fact but in the heat of the moment cops need to be able to make judgement calls without being second-guessed every F'n time they take action.
Jun 16, 2010 8:11am
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Jun 16, 2010 8:12 AM
iclfan2;391186 wrote:She totally deserved it.

I don't think she deserved to be punched in the face.

The officer comes off looking like a total idiot for not being able to physically control the teenage girls. Are you kidding me? If they are being that unruly it should be rather easy to throw on some cuffs and toss them in the back of the cruiser.
Jun 16, 2010 8:12am
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Jun 16, 2010 8:14 AM
Tiernan;391199 wrote:Always easy to see 20 / 20 after the fact but in the heat of the moment cops need to be able to make judgement calls without being second-guessed every F'n time they take action.

No way. Not all cops are able to exercise good judgement. I assume that is partly why all incidents where the use of force is involved is reviewed?
Jun 16, 2010 8:14am
j_crazy's avatar

j_crazy

7 gram rocks. how i roll.

8,372 posts
Jun 16, 2010 8:18 AM
I'm okay with the punch (though I don't condone it, nor do i think it was necessary, I just think at that point, the cop really didn't have time to way all of his options). he should be investigated, but mainly because he should have never let something as minor as this escalate.
Jun 16, 2010 8:18am
se-alum's avatar

se-alum

The Biggest Boss

13,948 posts
Jun 16, 2010 8:30 AM
How about you don't resist, and then you don't get punched in the face?!?
Jun 16, 2010 8:30am
T

Tiernan

Senior Member

13,021 posts
Jun 16, 2010 8:31 AM
justincredible;391202 wrote:No way. Not all cops are able to exercise good judgement. I assume that is partly why all incidents where the use of force is involved is reviewed?

Problem is they get their wrists slapped so often for crap like this, when the time comes to make the really hard decisions they may hesitate for just that split second that either costs them (or) maybe one of your loved ones a life when the bad guys escalate the situation. Support Your Local Police...its an easy concept.
Jun 16, 2010 8:31am
V

vball10set

paying it forward

24,795 posts
Jun 16, 2010 8:39 AM
for jaywalking?? prolly nothing better to do in that cowtown anyway...and this tough guy can't even handcuff a teenaged girl? maybe the Seattle PD should review their training techniques...
Jun 16, 2010 8:39am
B

berry

Senior Member

475 posts
Jun 16, 2010 9:21 AM
Guy was left handed. He used remarkable restraint.
Jun 16, 2010 9:21am
FatHobbit's avatar

FatHobbit

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8,651 posts
Jun 16, 2010 9:22 AM
Tiernan;391218 wrote:Problem is they get their wrists slapped so often for crap like this, when the time comes to make the really hard decisions they may hesitate for just that split second that either costs them (or) maybe one of your loved ones a life when the bad guys escalate the situation. Support Your Local Police...its an easy concept.

That attitude is exactly why police need to have their actions reviewed. It's ok to punch a girl in the face for jaywalking because we don't want cops to hesitate when they have to make a hard decision? lol
Jun 16, 2010 9:22am
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Jun 16, 2010 9:25 AM
Tiernan;391218 wrote:Problem is they get their wrists slapped so often for crap like this, when the time comes to make the really hard decisions they may hesitate for just that split second that either costs them (or) maybe one of your loved ones a life when the bad guys escalate the situation. Support Your Local Police...its an easy concept.

I have no problem with him using reasonable force when the girls were getting obnoxious. Reasonable force, IMO, doesn't involve punching her in the face. Is he that big of a pussy that he can't handcuff a teenage girl?
Jun 16, 2010 9:25am
ernest_t_bass's avatar

ernest_t_bass

12th Son of the Lama

24,984 posts
Jun 16, 2010 9:30 AM
That.Was.Awesome.!

If women want to be treated equally, then they should be able to be punched in the face! :D
Jun 16, 2010 9:30am
imex99's avatar

imex99

Senior Member

4,927 posts
Jun 16, 2010 9:34 AM
FatHobbit;391250 wrote:That attitude is exactly why police need to have their actions reviewed. It's ok to punch a girl in the face for jaywalking because we don't want cops to hesitate when they have to make a hard decision? lol

lol ^^^^^^ The offense doesn't matter, resisting is resisting!!!! He couldn't handcuff, i had had taser he would have been justified!


ASK, ORDER, MAKE..... That's all you have to do!!!!!
Jun 16, 2010 9:34am
FatHobbit's avatar

FatHobbit

Senior Member

8,651 posts
Jun 16, 2010 9:48 AM
imex99;391264 wrote:lol ^^^^^^ The offense doesn't matter, resisting is resisting!!!! He couldn't handcuff, i had had taser he would have been justified!


ASK, ORDER, MAKE..... That's all you have to do!!!!!

I didn't watch the video (can't at work) so I'm not even commenting on the girl getting punched. The attitude I have an issue with is that cops should be able to do whatever they want, without it being questioned because they have to make split second decisions.
Jun 16, 2010 9:48am
sherm03's avatar

sherm03

I go balls deep.

7,349 posts
Jun 16, 2010 10:00 AM
After watching that video...I'm kinda split on this.

On one hand...you have a girl that keeps pulling away from the officer and pushing him back. And then another chick comes and starts grabbing the cops arms and pushing him. He throws the punch, and then makes the arrests. I'm ok with that. There were a TON of people around him there...and he was the only officer. It could have gotten really bad for him really quickly. He made the quick judgment to punch the girl and then get control of the situation.

On the other hand...you can't detain a 17 year old girl rather easily?! If he was able to get the cuffs on her quickly, it never would have gotten to the point where he had to use force to gain control. It's two young chicks! What would have happened if this was two huge dudes. That cop would have gotten his ass beat! If you can't get the cuffs on that girl without much problem...maybe you need to look at other career opportunities before you get yourself really hurt.
Jun 16, 2010 10:00am
F

fan_from_texas

Senior Member

2,693 posts
Jun 16, 2010 10:00 AM
ccrunner609;391253 wrote:People that make the issue about the girl getting punched is the problem. She got punched in the face because SHE was violating the law.....if you dont want a cop to punch you in the face then stay the fuck out of his way. Pretty simple concept.

Just like the little punk that got tased in the face.....the lesson to be taught isnt how bad the cops are, the lesson to be taught is follow the law of the land.

I don't follow this reasoning at all, though I'm not surprised that it comes from a teacher, which is another profession that seems to have a hard time realizing that there are appropriate levels of escalation for things. I'm shocked every time people on the OC say, "Well, if you just didn't break the law, it wouldn't have happened." To be clear, the officer could've pulled a gun and shot her, too--would that be okay, since she should be taught a lesson to unquestioningly obey authority, and her failure to do so rightfully garnered her a shot?

I understand that cops have to make split-second decisions, like most other professions. I understand that they're in volatile situations, etc. But seriously--punching a teenage girl in the face because she gets unruly after being caught jaywalking?

The level of escalation of force should be commensurate with the gravity of the crime. Here, it was uncalled for and unprofessional.

This whole, "Ask, Order, Make" nonsense is disgusting. If a cop shows up and tells me to do something unreasonable, I think it's crazy that he (and apparently many people on the OC) would then consider it justified for him to use whatever force necessary to get me to comply, regardless of how reasonable/unreasonable his initial request was. If someone can't use good judgment on these issues, they shouldn't be in a uniform, carrying a gun.
Jun 16, 2010 10:00am
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Jun 16, 2010 10:02 AM
fan_from_texas;391291 wrote:I don't follow this reasoning at all, though I'm not surprised that it comes from a teacher, which is another profession that seems to have a hard time realizing that there are appropriate levels of escalation for things. I'm shocked every time people on the OC say, "Well, if you just didn't break the law, it wouldn't have happened." To be clear, the officer could've pulled a gun and shot her, too--would that be okay, since she should be taught a lesson to unquestioningly obey authority, and her failure to do so rightfully garnered her a shot?

I understand that cops have to make split-second decisions, like most other professions. I understand that they're in volatile situations, etc. But seriously--punching a teenage girl in the face because she gets unruly after being caught jaywalking?

The level of escalation of force should be commensurate with the gravity of the crime. Here, it was uncalled for and unprofessional.

This whole, "Ask, Order, Make" nonsense is disgusting. If a cop shows up and tells me to do something unreasonable, I think it's crazy that he (and apparently many people on the OC) would then consider it justified for him to use whatever force necessary to get me to comply, regardless of how reasonable/unreasonable his initial request was. If someone can't use good judgment on these issues, they shouldn't be in a uniform, carrying a gun.

Spot on.
Jun 16, 2010 10:02am
~

~U~

Member

99 posts
Jun 16, 2010 10:03 AM
Bad enough one was resisting arrest and another jumps in (the one who got punched). I see nothing wrong what with the cop did.
Jun 16, 2010 10:03am
Mohican00's avatar

Mohican00

Dirty White Boy

3,394 posts
Jun 16, 2010 10:05 AM
ccrunner609;391253 wrote:People that make the issue about the girl getting punched is the problem. She got punched in the face because SHE was violating the law.....if you dont want a cop to punch you in the face then stay the fuck out of his way. Pretty simple concept.

Just like the little punk that got tased in the face.....the lesson to be taught isnt how bad the cops are, the lesson to be taught is follow the law of the land.

So if I get a ticket for jaywalking my punishment is getting punched in the face?

Clearly this cop lost his cool and completely mishandled this. If you're going to restrain a suspect then do it, don't just uncomfortably wrestle around with him/her and cause a big scene. Take control of the situation.

Obviously the girl was at fault because she broke rule #1 in dealing with cops:

Always be calm and cool

and in addition, know your rights and don't get tricked into waiving them.
Jun 16, 2010 10:05am
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Jun 16, 2010 10:08 AM
sherm03;391292 wrote:On one hand...you have a girl that keeps pulling away from the officer and pushing him back. And then another chick comes and starts grabbing the cops arms and pushing him. He throws the punch, and then makes the arrests. I'm ok with that. There were a TON of people around him there...and he was the only officer. It could have gotten really bad for him really quickly. He made the quick judgment to punch the girl and then get control of the situation.

I think he actually put himself into more danger by punching the girl with that large of a crowd around watching. I'm really surprised someone else didn't step in after that. Seeing that he couldn't swiftly detain a teenage girl he would've got his ass handed to him by your average guy it seems.

Bottom line, there is zero excuse for him not being able to detain two teenage girls. He should be looking for a new career.
Jun 16, 2010 10:08am
W

WebFire

Go Bucks!

14,779 posts
Jun 16, 2010 10:09 AM
1. Was a punch to the face the right move? Probably not.

2. Do I feel sorry for her? Hell no!

3. She didn't get punched for jaywalking. She got punched for resisting arrest.

4. The cop needs to really work on his cuffing/takedown abilities. I agree she should have been cuffed right off the bat.
Jun 16, 2010 10:09am
W

WebFire

Go Bucks!

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Jun 16, 2010 10:12 AM
Mohican00;391299 wrote:So if I get a ticket for jaywalking my punishment is getting punched in the face?
No, it wouldn't be. And it wasn't in the video either.
Jun 16, 2010 10:12am
Mohican00's avatar

Mohican00

Dirty White Boy

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Jun 16, 2010 10:14 AM
WebFire;391305 wrote:No, it wouldn't be. And it wasn't in the video either.

and I was responding to this "She got punched in the face because SHE was violating the law"
Jun 16, 2010 10:14am