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Jul 3, 2009 7:34 am US/Central
DPD Officer Seen Stepping On Man Under Arrest
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
Is it okay for police officers to step on someone while placing them under arrest? A controversial videotape is once again raising questions at the Dallas Police Department.
There are strong opposing views of the dashcam video that is dividing officers about what is appropriate force. The internal investigation centers around two alleged shoplifters, the wreck that happened after a short chase and the events after that wreck.
Two officers have been placed on restricted duty after dashcam video raised concerns about excessive force.
The patrol car video shows officers trying to get two suspects to surrender after a short chase ended with a wreck. The men were accused of stealing from a Greenville Avenue convenience store. At one point one officer steps on the back of one of the suspects, while another appears to step on his head. "According to a supervisor they committed some inappropriate actions out there," said Lt. Andy Harvey, with the Dallas Police Department.
When a supervisor saw the dashcam video they immediately began an internal investigation. Among other issues, officials are trying to determine if the officers crossed the line.
While the department has placed Mark Dewald and Russell Crocker on restricted duty, fellow officers defend the arrest and accuse the department of not backing their men and women on the street.
"We're trained to either kneel on their head, until we get them under control, handcuff them, place them under arrest," explained Glenn White, with the Dallas Police Association. "The officers did a fine job, unfortunately the police department or leadership in this police department, most of them haven't been on the street in many, many, years. They don't know what we deal with on a continual basis."
Neither the suspects, nor the officers involved, could be reached for comment.
There's no word on when the internal investigation is expected to be complete.
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