I think it's the perfect story of only hearing 1 side of the story.

 

Of course we are getting one side, but I have known plenty of policemen, and it is a very difficult job. But, I KNOW some of them who get off on the power of the position.

 

Here's what bothers me most about the officers account of the story: They claim that he made threatening gestures by closing his arms and clenching his fists. How did he do that when he was holding a puppy and baby bottle in his hands. Also, the "dehumanizing stares" claim is ridiculous. You mean to tell me 2 grown men were so intimidated by a skinny, 14 year old boy holding a puppy that they felt that they had to restrain and arrest him? The spokesperson for the police issued this statement in regards to why he was slammed down and placed in a choke hold: 'Of course we have to neutralize the threat,' said the detective. 'When you have somebody resistant to them and pulling away and somebody clenching their fists and flailing their arms, that’s a threat.' Now keep in mind that, by the accounts of both the boy and the police, he was walking away from them with a puppy and bottle in his hands. How is he an "immenent threat" that must be neutralized? I get the fact that the police claim he disregarded them and walked away while he said he was taking them to his Mom. However, walking away from the officers doesn't make you a threat does it? We haven't heard from most or any of our LEO members or affiliated people in this thread--I'd like to get some of their thoughts. Given the age and size of the youth was the force used necessary? Also I have this question: Since he wasn't being arrested for anything and was simply being asked to point out his Mother and the physical contact was initiated by the officers how can he be charged with resisting arrest? A felony charge seems a bit much given the situation.

Edited June 1, 201313 yr by AverageJoesGym

I have said it before. You do what the cops tell you to do. I don't think a cop is going to randomly show his power trip by wrestling a kid to the ground on a public beach with people watching.

So since the kid was walking away the cops should not have detained him? since this meant he was not threatening? Next time a cop stops me I guess I should just walk or drive away and they should let me go? You guys try it and let me know how it works out for you.

Do what the cops say. I really think the days of getting your lesson taught to you behind the Newport flood wall are pretty much over.

I have said it before. You do what the cops tell you to do. I don't think a cop is going to randomly show his power trip by wrestling a kid to the ground on a public beach with people watching.

So since the kid was walking away the cops should not have detained him? since this meant he was not threatening? Next time a cop stops me I guess I should just walk or drive away and they should let me go? You guys try it and let me know how it works out for you.

Do what the cops say. I really think the days of getting your lesson taught to you behind the Newport flood wall are pretty much over.

 

According to the child he was taking them to his Mom. While I have my doubts about that the officers were on ATVs, wouldn't it have made more sense to pull in front of him, ask him what he is doing or simply make him stop instead of slamming him on the ground and choking him until he urinates? As for you walking away or driving away--you're an adult I can see why they would use force if you tried to leave. We're talking about a 14 year old kid armed with a 6 week old puppy vs two grown men armed with handguns. Where is the "immenent threat" that needs neutralizing?

According to the child he was taking them to his Mom. While I have my doubts about that the officers were on ATVs, wouldn't it have made more sense to pull in front of him, ask him what he is doing or simply make him stop instead of slamming him on the ground and choking him until he urinates? As for you walking away or driving away--you're an adult I can see why they would use force if you tried to leave. We're talking about a 14 year old kid armed with a 6 week old puppy vs two grown men armed with handguns. Where is the "immenent threat" that needs neutralizing?

It would be nice to see of we could follow this case to the end. Not sure since a minor is involved we will be able to. I watched the videos and the police seem to stand firmly behind their actions.

Do what the cops tell you to do!

wouldn't it have made more sense to pull in front of him' date=' ask him what he is doing or simply make him stop[/quote']

 

How do you know they didn't try?

How do you know they didn't try?

 

 

 

The information from the report that was cited made no mention of him fleeing--simply walking away. It also makes not mention of him becoming physical with the officers only "clenching his fists, stiffening his body and making dehumanizing stares". I he would have tried to have pushed by them or ran I'm fairly certain that the spokesperson would have mentioned that.

 

The information from the report that was cited made no mention of him fleeing--simply walking away. It also makes not mention of him becoming physical with the officers only "clenching his fists, stiffening his body and making dehumanizing stares". I he would have tried to have pushed by them or ran I'm fairly certain that the spokesperson would have mentioned that.

 

How do you know they didn't ask him to stop?

How do you know they didn't ask him to stop?

 

I'm going by what the spokesperson for the police said. He was an "imminent threat" due to his body language and "dehumanizing stares" and the officers had to "neutralize the threat". He made it clear that he was restrained for those reasons and not for trying to get away. Thank goodness he wasn't wearing swimmies, that might have required S.W.A.T.

 

There are better ways for two armed, grown men to respond to an obviously unarmed 14 year old that do not involve immediately ripping a puppy out of his hands, slamming him to the ground and choking him until he urinates because he gave them a mean look.

I'm sure there were inappropriate actions on both sides. There are 2 sides to every story and the truth usually lies somewhere in between. I doubt the kid was all that intimidating or aggressive and I doubt he was nursing a puppy while being uber respectful. Sounds like the officers lost their cool and got in a urinating contest with the kid. I know when dealing with JVs, you have to use kid gloves so to speak. Granted I've seen a 16 year old kid who looked 25 punch a cop in the face before so they can and will fight like grown men. On this case I tend to think there might be a reason why they've only been in trusted to ride quads on beach patrol instead of a traditional squad car on an actual beat. But who knows. Certainly seems like they used a sledge hammer when a small claw hammer would've gotten the job done, metaphorically speaking...

I'm sure there were inappropriate actions on both sides. There are 2 sides to every story and the truth usually lies somewhere in between. I doubt the kid was all that intimidating or aggressive and I doubt he was nursing a puppy while being uber respectful. Sounds like the officers lost their cool and got in a urinating contest with the kid. I know when dealing with JVs, you have to use kid gloves so to speak. Granted I've seen a 16 year old kid who looked 25 punch a cop in the face before so they can and will fight like grown men. On this case I tend to think there might be a reason why they've only been in trusted to ride quads on beach patrol instead of a traditional squad car on an actual beat. But who knows. Certainly seems like they used a sledge hammer when a small claw hammer would've gotten the job done, metaphorically speaking...

 

From what to boy claims it looks like the cops won the urinating contest.

Remember when the assumption would have been that the disrespectful kid needed to be taught a lesson? Those days are long gone.

I'm sure there were inappropriate actions on both sides. There are 2 sides to every story and the truth usually lies somewhere in between. I doubt the kid was all that intimidating or aggressive and I doubt he was nursing a puppy while being uber respectful. Sounds like the officers lost their cool and got in a urinating contest with the kid. I know when dealing with JVs, you have to use kid gloves so to speak. Granted I've seen a 16 year old kid who looked 25 punch a cop in the face before so they can and will fight like grown men. On this case I tend to think there might be a reason why they've only been in trusted to ride quads on beach patrol instead of a traditional squad car on an actual beat. But who knows. Certainly seems like they used a sledge hammer when a small claw hammer would've gotten the job done, metaphorically speaking...

 

I don't for a minute believe the kid was completely complying with the officers instructions and they just decided to rough him up and take him in. And if this would have been a mature looking 16-17 year old that was coming at the officers or tried to get physical with them I would completely understand. This was a skinny looking 14 year old that looked his age. I just don't see how the officers can claim that he was that threatening to them just from stares--especially when holding a puppy. I'm sure those beach cops put up with a lot of nonsense and it would have to be a frustrating job at times. If they had claimed he took off running or tried to lay hands on one of them I could see their response. I just think they let the frustrations of the job get to them and went too far with a child--even if he was a mouthy child. What really disturbs me is he wasn't breaking any laws to be confronted to begin with. Also, it could have been much worse. What would have happened if a friend or family member had tried to intervene--someone could have been seriously injured. And there's a lot of parents that wouldn't have just sat back and watch that happen--police or not. Especially if the child had not tried to harm the officers first.

Remember when the assumption would have been that the disrespectful kid needed to be taught a lesson? Those days are long gone.

 

I'm 43. I can't ever recall a time that it was acceptable for 2 grown men to slam a 14 year old boy to the ground and choke him until he urinates because they didn't like the way he looked at them.

I'm 43. I can't ever recall a time that it was acceptable for 2 grown men to slam a 14 year old boy to the ground and choke him until he urinates because they didn't like the way he looked at them.

 

I didn't say anything about it being acceptable.

I'm 43. I can't ever recall a time that it was acceptable for 2 grown men to slam a 14 year old boy to the ground and choke him until he urinates because they didn't like the way he looked at them.

 

Maybe he has an over active bladder:idunno: