(Excerpted from Wash. Post) Video Shows Cop Punching Teenager

Washington Post ^ | July 8, 2002

[EggsAckley]

The Associated Press Monday, July 8, 2002; 10:21 AM LOS ANGELES ?? An amateur video shows Inglewood police officers punching a teenager and slamming his head against the hood of a patrol car, and the department said it will investigate.

The probe was announced Sunday after the tape, taken a day earlier from a nearby motel, was turned over to police and local media.

[AM2000]

The kid was African-American.

The kid was black.

The term indicates ethnic origin. Black people trace their ethnic origins to the continent of Africa.

[pttttt]

Then you've got the bad-tempered driving instructor (see http://www.punchbaby.com/clip_funny.htm and click on "driving skool").

[Fred Mertz]

Yeah, this is riot baiting footage.

The cops look like serious Gestapo material. This is bad for the statists.

I'm sure the punk deserved a good punch, but not while he's handcuffed and not offering resistance.

Like I said, this is bad stuff for the police state. It's summer, so riots aren't out of the question.

[Archie Bunker on steroids]

We didn't get to see the entire video, where I assume the punk attacked the officers, but that is irrelevant now. The consequences of teaching this kid a lesson is more than the police officer will be able to handle, and more than I want to be subjected to.

The Rodney King video set the precedent - riots and racial tension = big ratings! We'll see it every night until LA burns and then the networks can get in some great riot coverage.

The police officer wanted to teach the kid a lesson? Throw him in the slammer then go out and run five miles when you get off shift. Because of that lesson we'll now have fodder for the race baiters, another reason for inner city blacks to hate cops and whites, and a cop who will have to be fired then tried and imprisoned so the LAPD can save face..

[Prodigal Daughter]

I think the cops were very angry that the 16 year old didn't drop his bag of potato chips fast enough; probably because the kid was shocked that he was ordered into the police car and didn't move fast enough. It's not everyday you get arrested for walking out of a gas station carrying a bag of potato chips. He should have just moved faster, all the while crying out "yes massah".

[mhking]

Because of that lesson we'll now have fodder for the race baiters, another reason for inner city blacks to hate cops and whites, and a cop who will have to be fired then tried and imprisoned so the LAPD can save face..

You've got it - the lawyers are already lining up...

[Prodigal Daughter]

The cops look like serious Gestapo material.

Especially when they picked him up off the ground, "like a doll" as the camera yielding witness said. He looked unconcious when they picked him up which makes me believe their side of the story; that the cops choke-dragged him by his necklace. I can accept that the Rodney King cops were adrenaline charged if RK was fighting back, even though they should have stopped, but unless this kid was caught beating up a puppy, or raping someone, I can't imagine why they were so angry at him, and he definitely wasn't a threat to any of them.

[3catsanadog]

Expect to see Jackson, Sharpton, et al make a solumn treck to Inglewood over this incident.

[eno_]

A "censure?" How about putting his face and home address online, along with the video of him slamming that kid around? Then let a pack of snarling tort lawyers gnaw his bones. A censure. Ya, sure. You're serious? Good thing he's already toast, before people like you could cover his ass.

[BuckeyeForever]

I saw the tape. It's obvious this an excessive use of force by the police involved, and you can bet they will be disciplined. End of story. Whether the offending cops involved are racists really is irrelevant. In this particular case, they went far beyond the reasonable use of force required to restrain the perp, and they will be punished for it.

[Archie Bunker on steroids]

I saw the video - although not on the best screen. The kid did not appear to be unconcious. He was, however, definately apprehended. I am not clear why the officers intiially confronted the guy?

[Zon]

I did notice you protesting/preaching about post that had nothing to do with you.

[baseballfanjm]

The officers did treat him too hard. He was cuffed and looked subdued. There was no need to puch him, and the slamming against the car was a bit too hard. He must have fought back earlier, hence the scratch on the officer's face, and some let their anger get to them. Anyway, we can expect Al Sharpton to say that "it's Rodney King all over again" tomorrow.

[I_Love_My_Husband]

What liberal sewer did you crawl out of?

[I_Love_My_Husband]

So what? When stopped by police...you get out of your car...you do whatever a policeman asks. You don't mouth off. End of story!

[2rightsleftcoast]

The cop also has a big cut by his ear. It looks like the suspect resisted arrest to me.

[Prodigal Daughter]

What liberal sewer did you crawl out of?

Having a bad day, huh? Just because the kid is a special education student who will never have your IQ level, maybe you shouldn't assume that his mother is on welfare and has 8 illiterate children. BTW I read your profile page, and mine is higher.

[rwb]

Okay. I saw the tape. Didn't see any raging Rodney King moments, though.

True.

Actually, I didn't see the kid being hit in the face. I DID see him struggling quite a bit; even after they had him on the car hood, he was still fighting them.

You sir, are a liar.
Or maybe you just saw a different tape.

[rwb]

How does one fight with cops and Sheriff's department officials with hands in cuffs behind one's back?

By using the powerful Kung-fu that Master Chen taught him.:)
Wax on, wax off.

[rwfromkansas]

Are you a cop? If not, don't bash the heroes that sometimes give their lives to protect people like you who would hang them for sometimes making a mistake and letting adrenaline take over.

He went too far and should get a talking to about the matter.

If he does it again, then it is time to fire him since obviously he can't control his temper and a reprimand did not work.