Today Show Leads with Video of Inglewood Police Incident

[TomGuy]

The video I've seen is shown from the far side of the car. It doesn't show the kids legs or feet or whether he was attempting to kick, nor does it have audio, nor does it (at least the broadcast version) show what happened up to the point of the kid being forced against the car.

But, then, neither did the Rodney King video show the whole story of his alluding police and the chase, etc.

Surely, our media wouldn't be just using selective sections, would they?

[WyldKard]

Still, it looks very bad for police to be caught on tape beating the crap out of an allegedly retarded 16 year old boy, when they pull his old man over for a suspended licenses. He did not look like he was struggling at all, or taking any actions that warrented such a harsh response, when I saw the tape.

Yes, there may be extenuating circumstances involved, but on the other hand, this REALLY could be exactly what it appears to be: A bunch of arrogant prick cops who decided to have a little fun.

I know some FReepers here considers LEO's Gods That Walk Among Us, but the sad fact is that there are still a lot of cops who are just bullies with guns that never grew up.

Still, it's too soon to make a call on this either way. I'm just going to wait and see...

[al_c]

I agree. And it looks to me like it was just one of them. The same guy that slammed him onto the hood is the one that took a punch at him. It would be interesting to know what all went down before and after.

[Area51]

Story as I heard it is the perp. hit a cop and split his head open. I don't think they have that on video. Also, stated by the perps lawyer that same cop had another incident like this a like while back.

But if it is another case of cops being @sshole Thugs, I say fire and prosecute every one of em.

[1Old Pro]

Was this really the most significant story in the world this morning

You mean they didn't lead with a verbal assault on Reagan or Bush??

[TheOtherOne]

In this image taken from video, appears to show Inglewood Police Officers picking up a handcuffed 16-year-old boy before slamming his face against a squad car Saturday, July 6, 2002 in Inglewood, Calif. The officer in the video has been relieved of duty, the mayor said Monday. (AP Photo/Mitchell Crooks)

In this image taken from video appears to show Inglewood Officer Jeremy Morse, right, picking up a handcuffed 16-year-old boy and slamming his face against a squad car Saturday, July 6, 2002 in Inglewood, Calif. Morse, a three-year veteran, was suspended with pay the mayor said Monday. (AP Photo/Mitchell Crooks)

In this image taken from video appears to show Inglewood Police Officers picking up a handcuffed 16-year-old boy and slamming his face against a squad car Saturday, July 6, 2002 in Inglewood, Calif. The officer in the video has been relieved of duty, the mayor said Monday. (AP Photo/Mitchell Crooks)

Inglewood Police officers are shown, in this image taken from video, holding a handcuffed 16-year-old boy against a squad car Saturday, July 6, 2002 in Inglewood, Calif. Lt. Eve Irvine says the police officer who was videotaped pushing the boy onto the back of a car and then striking him during an arrest has been relieved of duty. (AP Photo/Mitchell Crooks)

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I agree that the incident should be investigated, and if any of the officers involved acted inappropriately, they should be disciplined. My problem is with The Today Show's decision to lead its show with this incident, as if it were the nation's most newsworthy event.

[Registered]

Let's all face it, the kid's a millionaire now.

[Cultural Jihad]

I agree that the incident should be investigated, and if any of the officers involved acted inappropriately, they should be disciplined. My problem is with The Today Show's decision to lead its show with this incident, as if it were the nation's most newsworthy event.

Agreed. CNN engineered the LA riots with their constant rebroadcast, over and over again, day in and day out, of 15 seconds of the Rodney King arrest. The ideologues like to think that civilization is such a hardy thing that they can just tweak with it to their heart's content. But really it shows just how fragile civilization really is.

[Cultural Jihad]

Story as I heard it is the perp. hit a cop and split his head open. I don't think they have that on video. Also, stated by the perps lawyer that same cop had another incident like this a like while back.

The police have to act brutally, because there are very hateful people out there who want to murder them. If the mayor thinks that social workers will keep the perps from harming his contributor's businesses or constituents, then he ought to hire social workers instead of policemen.

[Callahan]

OK, "retarded" punk mouths off and either hits or tries to hit cop. Cop cuffs him and is so pissed off he takes a couple unneccesary pot shots. Police officers who cannot control their emotions are liabilities. I say throw the book at the punk and the cop.

[oline]

Hello??

My first comments last night were what happened before this "tourist" started rolling tape?

Apparently the officer had an injury to his head -- the cop is bleeding on the videotape.... ALSO-- be prepared to see this tape millions of times and also remember that by the end of the year the kid will be a millionaire and that ten years from now he'll have ended up like Rodney King -- coked-up and broke.

I have NO sympathy for people that mess with police officers especially punks like this kid...

[Bernard Marx]

Yes, he's probably a millionaire-to-be. But more important, the media have their "get out the black vote in November" campaign in full swing, as do black groups.

Julian Bond's "temperate" remarks before that paragon of "Let's all get along" groups, the NAACP; Michael Jackson's "feel sorry for me" assault on the record industry with Al Sharpton; Calypso Louie's "solidarity" visit to Iraq, and probably more I can't think of, are appeals to elect Democrats to Congress in November. Brace for more of this. If they can't get Bush on the war they'll use tried and true techniques. Watch for the tempo to pick up over the summer.

[skeeter]

Gee whiz, the ABC news reports I heard yesterday said that "white officers" beat up a "black youth". I see one black cop, and either two white cops or one white and one hispanic cop.

The media wouldn't be trying to color this incident, would they?

[caa26]

The only reason the Today Show broadcast the video is because it was a black person that was the victim of the alleged police brutality. If this had been a white guy this wouldn't even be a national story. I don't know enough about the incident tom commment on it.

[mhking]

Of course they led with the video; if memory serves me correctly, that is the same way they led the morning the Rodney King video surfaced years ago as well.

What better way to shock middle America, and polarize them against the Inglewood Police? This is the media playing judge, jury & executioner, yet again. What makes you think they would relinquish that role now?

[verity]

was it just The Today Show looking to stir up trouble and sensationalize the news?

That is the media's motto!!!

[mhking]

If a cop can't control himself (and I don't care what the perp did prior to the arrest), he shouldn't be a cop.

If what we see tells the full story, I will agree with you completely - but, as has been mentioned here, is this on the heels of the kid attempting to kick the officer (which would not have been seen in this angle)? Mind you, I'm not defending the officer nor the kid, I'm just pointing out that we may not be seeing the complete story.

Police Officers are professionals, and if they cannot act in a professional fashion, they should not be law enforcement officers.