Posted on 10/09/2005 12:13:05 PM PDT by pitinkie
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - At least one police officer repeatedly punched a 64-year-old man accused of public intoxication, and another officer assaulted an Associated Press Television News producer as a cameraman taped the confrontations.
There will be a criminal investigation, and three New Orleans Police Department officers will be suspended Sunday, arrested and charged with simple battery, Capt. Marlon Defillo said.
"We have great concern with what we saw this morning," Defillo said after he and about a dozen other high-ranking police department officials watched the APTN footage Sunday. "It's a troubling tape, no doubt about it. ... This department will take immediate action."
The assaults come as the department, long plagued by allegations of brutality and corruption, struggles with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the resignation last month of Police Superintendent Eddie Compass.
The APTN tape shows an officer hitting the man at least four times in the head Saturday night as he stood outside a bar. The suspect, Robert Davis, appeared to resist, twisting and flailing as he was dragged to the ground by four officers. Another officer then kneed Davis and punched him twice. Davis was face-down on the sidewalk with blood streaming down his arm and into the gutter.
Meanwhile, an officer ordered APTN producer Rich Matthews and the cameraman to stop recording. When Matthews held up his credentials and explained he was working, the officer grabbed the producer, leaned him backward over a car, jabbed him in the stomach and unleashed a profanity-laced tirade.
"I've been here for six weeks trying to keep ... alive. ... Go home!" shouted the officer, who later identified himself as S.M. Smith.
Police said Davis, 64, of New Orleans, was booked on public intoxication, resisting arrest, battery on a police officer and public intimidation.
Davis, who is black, was subdued at the intersection of Conti and Bourbon streets. Three of the officers appeared to be white, and the other was light skinned. Defillo said race was not an issue.
Three of the five officers involved were New Orleans officers, and two others appeared to be federal officers. Numerous agencies have sent police to help with patrols in the aftermath of Katrina.
Under normal circumstances, it takes unusually offensive behavior to trigger an arrest on Bourbon Street. But New Orleans police have been working under stressful conditions since the hurricane.
Officers slept in their cars and worked 24-hour shifts after the storm. Three-quarters lost their homes and their families are scattered across the country.
Many officers deserted their posts in the days after Katrina, and some were accused of joining in the looting that broke out. At least two committed suicide.
Conditions have improved - officers now have beds on a cruise ship - but they don't have private rooms and are still working five, 12-hour days.
Compass, the police superintendent, resigned Sept. 27. Despite more than 10 years of reform efforts dating to before he took office, police were dogged by allegations of brutality and corruption.
On Friday, state authorities said they were investigating allegations that New Orleans police broke into a dealership and made off with nearly 200 cars - including 41 new Cadillacs - as the storm closed in.
Hey they might!!! The only thing that I thought was over the top was the punching in his face for a few..
I'm just havin' a spot of fun with the natives.
I wonder where we can actually find the video. All I have been able to find is still photos. Would be interesting to watch the tape.
Don't let Cap'n Crunch get under your skin. He's got a rather twisted sense of humor and likes to push buttons, especially on cop basher threads. However, after reading 'bout a thousand of his posts I do believe his head is on square.
I kinda figured that one out too.
This thread is about a basher cops, not cop bashers. In any case, point taken. I figured as much. 20 year Police vetrans aren't this stupid.
Well Sir, I don't believe I've had the pleasure of making your acquaintance.
The pleasure is all mine. But now my secret is out.
In the words of Napoleon Dynamite: DANG
I extend the Olive Branch.
I'm sorry I was a smart arse. But I still don't trust the media.
Oh, I do prefer "jaded" to "twisted." Psycopath is OK too.
I apologize for my comment as well.
I love it. I ived in New Orleans for 5 years and I can say that the police force in New Orleans is the most untrained, poorly paid group in the country.
I have only seen it on Fox..looking too!
Accepted, gladly and mine to you. I drink Warsteiner.
Nothing like a drink with pals after a good fight eh?
I gotta admit, you almost got me seeing red with that mall security guard one.
hahahahahaha
Amen, forget the reporters, lets go smack some liberals
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