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?

Seattle must be the safest city in the world if you get arrested for jay walking.

She totally deserved it.

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.

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.

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?

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.

How about you don't resist, and then you don't get punched in the face?!?

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.

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...

Guy was left handed. He used remarkable restraint.

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

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?

That.Was.Awesome.!

If women want to be treated equally, then they should be able to be punched in the face!

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!!!!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bad enough one was resisting arrest and another jumps in (the one who got punched). I see nothing wrong what with the cop did.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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"