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.

 

Like I said, the "truth" is in that gray area, I'm sure. Some cops are thug whisperers and can talk to the most hardened criminal around like long lost friends. Others can only relate to backwoods hillbillys, others are well rounded and others can talk to anyone. Then you get some assigned to work the lesser involved details where there perceived weaknesses aren't magnified by their incompetence. Takes all kinds...

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.

What was their reason for detaining him prior to the cops physical engagement.

Like I said, the "truth" is in that gray area, I'm sure. Some cops are thug whisperers and can talk to the most hardened criminal around like long lost friends. Others can only relate to backwoods hillbillys, others are well rounded and others can talk to anyone. Then you get some assigned to work the lesser involved details where there perceived weaknesses aren't magnified by their incompetence. Takes all kinds...

 

I'm sure riding around in the heat on ATVs with helmets, long pants and a utility belt doesn't help their demeanor--and I can only imagine the smart mouths and drunks they have to put up with at the beach. That would have to be frustrating a lot of the time. I just feel they could have used a different method to deal with a non-threatening 14 year old.

There has to be a piece of this story we aren't being told. Neither version makes sense.

 

I wonder if this boy and the officers previously crossed paths.

One thing that doesn't add up from the reports in the links. According the the boy the police were talking to him and asked where his mother was and he turned and began walking to his mom. If they are all standing there talking how did he get far enough away that the officers couldn't just grab him, instead he got so far away that, both McMillian and his mother said, police on ATVs chased him, cut him off and then held him to the ground. I'm not defending the police it's just that parts of this story don't really add up.

 

Another thing is with him being a juvenile I doubt the full version from the police officers will ever be known, as it will be sealed in juvenile court.

 

Of course if this eventually makes it to civil court both sides entire story would become public record.

One thing that doesn't add up from the reports in the links. According the the boy the police were talking to him and asked where his mother was and he turned and began walking to his mom. If they are all standing there talking how did he get far enough away that the officers couldn't just grab him, instead he got so far away that, both McMillian and his mother said, police on ATVs chased him, cut him off and then held him to the ground. I'm not defending the police it's just that parts of this story don't really add up.

 

Another thing is with him being a juvenile I doubt the full version from the police officers will ever be known, as it will be sealed in juvenile court.

 

Of course if this eventually makes it to civil court both sides entire story would become public record.

 

Wouldn't it be hard to grab someone while sitting on an ATV unless they were within arm's length? It made no mention of a chase--just that they pulled in front of him. The reasons for the restraint are direct quotes from the police spokesperson. They said he walked away from them and they pulled in front of him and then due to his body language and dehumanizing stares felt that they needed to neutralize the threat in front of them. That came from the police.

Yeah but the way he and his mom make it sound he was walking down the beach and they come flying up on ATV's cut him off and grab him. If they were just talking to him while on the ATV if he just turned and walked away why wouldn't they just get off of them then and grab him, he couldn't be more than a few feet away. I'm wondering if the so called gestures didn't occur as he walked away after talking to the police and that is what may have enticed the police the do what they did (again not defending them). There just seems to be something missing in this story...

Yeah but the way he and his mom make it sound he was walking down the beach and they come flying up on ATV's cut him off and grab him. If they were just talking to him while on the ATV if he just turned and walked away why wouldn't they just get off of them then and grab him, he couldn't be more than a few feet away. I'm wondering if the so called gestures didn't occur as he walked away after talking to the police and that is what may have enticed the police the do what they did (again not defending them). There just seems to be something missing in this story...

 

It probably required more effort to get off of the ATVs and catch up to him than it did to scoot around in front of him. On the beach patrol shows I've watched the officers hardly ever get off of the ATVs when simply talking to a person.

Could be...:idunno:

 

It probably required more effort to get off of the ATVs and catch up to him than it did to scoot around in front of him. On the beach patrol shows I've watched the officers hardly ever get off of the ATVs when simply talking to a person.

 

Well sand in your boots sounds annoying

Well sand in your boots sounds annoying

 

I hadn't even thought about having to walk around on the beach in shoes and socks. I'd probably be readly to pistol whip someone by the end of the day.