If anyone is familiar with the great Japanese film director Akira Kurosawa's seminal work Rashomon, video footage like the one above is supposed to prevent contradictory perceptions. Unfortunately, a cursory review of this case throughout the internet/blogosphere affirms that individuals just can't seem to agree as to what really transpired between this teenager and police officer. I am the last person to apologize for cases that demonstrate police misconduct and abuse of authority as it relates to minorities. But I implore our readers to attempt to explain this away-what could this officer have done?
Whether one agrees with the authorities or not, isn't a person required to comply? This young lady resisted throughout this entire ordeal with the officer repeatedly asking in a calm manner to comply-which she did not, resulting in him getting bit. Again, we understand that she is a youth but I have heard many respondents on various blogs and news sites place blame against the officer when he clearly knew he was being taped (his police cruiser was equipped with the surveilling camera) forewarning the teen that he did not want to use force. Where are the progressives on this issue? Why can't we use discernment and common sense when these matters arise? Some of these alleged brutality cases have a lead-up event that oftentimes precedes the violent moment-the cause and effect dynamic is rarely discussed. Why analyze the entire situation when the more salient details make good copy-facts be damned! Check out this article on the above story, courtesy of CBS4:
Teen Bites Officer; Officer Pepper Sprays Back
(CBS4) FORT PIERCE A police officer who punched a 15-year-old girl, then used pepper spray to subdue her while she resisted arrest should be suspended until an investigation is complete, activists said Thursday.
Police Officer Daniel Gilroy's patrol car dashboard camera caught the incident on tape as he was attempting to arrest Shelwanda Riley on July 15 for being out past a local curfew.
According to Gilroy's report, the girl, whom activists called Shawanda, was kicking and swinging at him. The dashboard video shows Gilroy repeatedly asking the girl to stop resisting, but she continued to scream and squirm as he tried to handcuff her.
"Miss, I don't want to force you because you're small," the officer calmly said.
She then twisted around and reportedly bit the officer, which is when he punched and sprayed her in the face.
"A lot of restraint before I used any kind of force, but when she bit me, it was all over," the officer can be heard saying on his radio later.
"Whatever your opinion, there is a clear case that this was excessive force," said the Rev. William F. Richardson, a representative of the Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network. "This officer should not be working the beat while this is under investigation."
Police Chief Sean Baldwin initially defended the officer's actions, saying he does not expect his officers to stand by and allow suspects to bite them. Baldwin later announced an internal investigation. The chief has since declined to comment.
Richardson and other activists also called for better training of officers in dealing with curfew violations to prevent similar clashes.
Riley faces a felony battery charge.
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