This video has been making the rounds here in Seattle. A cop tried to cite a few teenagers for jaywalking, and when they resisted, the cop punched a teenage girl in the face. INSANE. I’m not a cop-hater, but videos like this remind me why a lot of folks are.
The full story, from KOMO News, is after the jump.
SEATTLE — Seattle police are investigating what they call an assault of an officer in South Seattle.
However, a police officer is seen punching a 17-year-old girl in the face during the incident captured by a video camera on Monday.
According to Seattle police, the incident began when an officer spotted a man jaywalking in the 3100 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Way S. at approximately 3:10 p.m. The man was some 15 feet away from a pedestrian overpass, police said.
The officer was talking to the man when he saw four young women jaywalk across the same street at the same spot. The officer asked the women to step over to his patrol car, but the women were being “verbally antagonistic toward the officer,” according to officials.
One of the women, later identified as a 19 year old, began to walk away from the scene despite the officer’s instructions, prompting the officer to walk over to her and escort her back to his patrol car.
The girl then “began to tense up her arm, and pull away from the officer while yelling at him,” investigators said. The officer told the girl to place her hands on his patrol car, but she refused. When the officer tried to grab hold of her, “she pulled away and twisted, breaking free of the officer’s grip several times,” the blotter report said.
When the officer tried to handcuff the girl, another girl, this one 17 years old, intervened and placed her hands on the officer’s arm, “causing the officer to believe she was attempting to physically affect the first subject’s escape,” police said.
The officer pushed back the second girl, but the girl came back at him. The officer then punched her, police said.
The officer then handcuffed the 19-year-old woman. Other officers arrived and helped handcuff the second girl.
Both teens were cited for jaywalking. The older suspect was booked into the King County Jail for investigation of obstructing an officer. The 17-year-old girl was booked into the Youth Service Center for investigation of assault of an officer.
Nobody was injured during the incident, police said.
Seattle police have not reviewed the video of the incident. Sgt. Sean Whitcomb said investigators may review the video on Tuesday.
Whitcomb said the officer involved in the incident sent out a call for help, prompting other officers to rush to his aid.
All use of force on the job is reviewed, Whitcomb said, as use of force is under the officer’s discretion. He added that punching is a trained tactic.
“There will be a thorough investigation into this incident,” he said.
The lady in pink assaulted the police officer by touching him, she was also obstructing justice. She got what she deserved.
After watching this video, I'm not quite sure why you have “INSANE” in all upper case or why you are now reminded as to why a lot of people are cop haters. These two ghetto-douches obviously have a problem with authority figures, and it didn't pay off too well for them in this instance. Of course, every jack-leg lawyer in the Northwest will step in to want to change that and look for way to milk the city of Seattle for a six-figure settlement. It's really quite simple: Don't start fights with the cops and don't resist when it's not needed — they have the upper-hand, whether you like it or not and whether or not you think that what they are citing or arresting you for is fair or unfair. I don't really think it's right to pass immediate judgment on the cop, as we don't see what originally started the altercation. If I had to guess, though, I don't really think he's the one who chose to start it. He possibly could have responded differently and he might have considered another alternative to throwing the punch — but hey, nice right hook,dude!
INSANE? Please. He should have punched both of them a few more times in the face, pulled out his nightstick and given them a few more whacks for good measure.
In what world do you think you live in? Try touching any cop ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD and see what happens.
These two ghetto queens need a lot more sense beaten into them. Now just watch all the apologists for these two morons start getting in on the criticism of this cop.
I live in the UK, and wish our cops could use reasonable force like this. Maybe fewer people would take liberties.
Well done to the cop in question, if I was being a mouthy, agressive asshole, I would expect similar treatment.
what sober person in this world doesn't know better than to put their hands on a cop? i'm sure this will turn into a racial discussion of how white cop punched black girl (and not saying that's necessarily a bad thing), but let's at least acknowledge the fact that she was acting like a damn fool. i would've pepper sprayed them both.
Oh my GOD, it's called RESISTING ARREST, and she was physically RESISTING him and then had another person pushing him. What the fuck is so insane about that?!??????
Police officers make jack shit and have to deal with absolutely horrible people and stand on the line to possibly get murdered every single day. Was a light clock on the nose 100% necessary? Prooooobably not, but it was certainly effective and it didn't look as though there was any blood or anything broken. Much more of a surprising alert than anything.
Yeah, let's hear the chorus of brutal white cop! I've seen my share of overreactions on the part of the police but that chick was looking for trouble. She was resisting and interfering and that can get out of hand real fast with a bunch of sympathetic onlookers standing nearby.
Just watch the recent video of the beatdown by a bunch of girls of a similar or younger age in Seattle recently and you know you don't take kids like that for granted anymore (of any race).
By the way Chuck that ghetto queen remark was uncalled for, these look like middle class kids.
I was raised to respect authority, and listen to police officers. While not all police officers do the right thing all the time, the majority are working hard to do the job entrusted to them. I get concerned when a mob of people start whipping out cell phones and recording altercations. It's too easy for a group of people to get get violent, and feel justified in doing so because they are part of a group. I think the cop did what he had to do to protect himself and get the situation under control. Too bad he had to throw a punch – but he was provoked.
Oh, hey, guys! Your privilege is showing.
I don't understand what this piece is doing on a gossip website, but seems to be that Beet is trying to stir some serious shit. It is highly inappropriate to influence readers' on law enforcement, and the altercation shouldn't have been videoed anyway. I personally think there were other ways to stabilize the girl rather than punching her, but it's not up to me to judge. Let this matter be dealt with privately, not turned into gossip, that's just poor taste.
fuck you racist mufukas!!!! fuck the police!!! you can't punch a bitch a face like that…
OK, here's a few points I'd like to make:
1. I don't understand why he was trying to arrest them for j-walking. I thought they just gave tickets.
2. Even if his reasons for the arrest were not valid, they should have not been telling him to “get the fuck off” of them, or be pushing him away. That IS considered resisting arrest and cops are allowed to use REASONABLE force to detain an individual when they are resisting.
3. The 17yr old should not have gotten in-between the cop and the other girl. Technically what she did is not only obstructing but also assaulting a police officer as she pushed him off before he touched her.
4. That being said, he could have done without punching her in the face. It was uncalled for, she did not hit him nor did she “come back at him” when he punched her. So for that, he was an ass. But those girls weren't exactly “angels” either.
All in all, this could have all been avoided if:
1. the girls were smart enough to NOT j-walk when a police officer is RIGHT THERE (not that it's ok to do it when he isn't cuz you could cause a major accident, but you know what I mean…)
2. everyone had remained calm instead of making such a huge deal out of the whole thing.
OK, rant over.
Similar story going on in Indianapolis, IN right now. In the Indiana case, though, the kid did get the shit kicked out of him while being called a “mutt” (he's biracial), even though he was interfering in the arrest of his brother.
http://www.wthr.com/global/story.asp?s=12504856
She CLEARLY pushed him first. These stupid girls were going crazy on the cop and showing zero respect for the law. I'm so sick of these bullshit cases. If you want respect, you need to act respectful. I think she deserved it.
How so, Ramou? Is that how you act in the presence of police officers?
Mnnn. I'm not sure how I feel about this. On the one hand, they were resisting arrest and acting like fools. On the other, the force was unnecessary. I hate to bring race into it…but I bet if these were white women no punches would've been thrown for the same behavior.
There are so many things going on here that no one is talking about or thinking about and that's because you don't need to think about them. It's easy to say, “Oh, well, she shouldn't have been 'acting ghetto' or 'that's what she gets.'” Telling a Black woman who probably doesn't trust police, and arguably doesn't have reason to trust police, how she needs to act in order to not be a victim of police brutality is seeping with privilege.
This police officer is trained how to react in situations like this and I would hope that he has enough training to know how to restrain someone without punching them in the face. The way I see it, he was pissed that she wasn't respecting his authority and overreacted.
If I were the 17 year-old I most likely would not have acted this way. But I'm not that girl and I don't know what the circumstances are in that neighborhood and what the relationship is between civilians and law enforcement, but can gather that it is a rather tense one.
Also, can we talk about how the girl who pushed the office was NOT the one punched in the face?
Why is this on Evil Beet in the first place?
those girls were verbally and physically assaulting the officer, and while it is unfortunate he punched her, because he may not be given the benefit of the doubt, i'm going with “she totally deserved it.” the behavior of those girls and even part of the crowd makes me sick.
If you want to act ghetto then you will be treated as such. Trash like this needs to STFU!
Sorry RG, the ghetto queen remark stands. I would classify them as LOW CLASS, based strictly on their conduct and their intelligence level displayed.
There were a lot of people milling around, the cop did not seem to have any immediate backup, and he was quickly losing control of the situation. It's unfortuante that he couldn't regain control in another manner, but these women had to be subdued. They had their hands all over him and could have easily reached his weapon. As others have stated, there is no reason for this video to be on a celeb gossip sight, except that Beet hasn't been up on her soapbox in a few hours and she can't bare the lack of attention.
Your absolutely right, Ramou! White privilege is an often overlooked, if not unknown, factor cited in some of these post. I'd like those who can watch this clip and defend how the police officer reacted, answer two questions: 1.) Had that been your 17 yr. old daughter in the footage (no other changes), would you still feel the same? 2.) Can you kindly link me to an article or video showing similar police brutality to a non-minority? Here's mine to you…food for thought…http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cases_of_police_brutality
Just as Ramou mentioned, it's easy to past such privileged judgement when you don't have to think or worry about police brutality, nor have that dynamic or history with. Oh, and all of that force stemming from jaywalking…imagine that!
The two girls were caught j-walking, mouthed off to the cop, the cop over reacted after having his authority questioned and punched the girl in the face. Whomever is claiming the girls assaulted him and as a result deserve physical violence back are either blind or crazy. The girl resisted the arrest, which is something she should not have done, but she did in no way assault the cop. Her friend ran to her friends aid while she was being man handled by the officer. Again, she did not hit, punch, push or scratch at the officer. No assault against the officer happened. Regardless of his position as an officer the girl is allowed to defend herself as she was being treated roughly. For a grown man to punch a girl in the face for squirming around is insane, I hope he is punished. Just because he is short and clearly has issues with power does not give him the right to be physically violent. Ugh, short men….
That cop is a bitch if he can't handle a 16-year-old girl.
Love your comical reply. The law is the law and its application applies to everyone regardless of their race. All of this was brought on simply by the behavior of the two women. Asking the first one to simply comply with the officer's request, instead of continuing to walk away, and asking the second one not to interfere with the first one's arrest isn't from me “seeping with privilege”. If there is anyone who thinks they are privileged, it's these two who somehow think that unlike everyone else, they are above the law and can do whatever they please. Also, I think it's interesting that you expect the police officer to only react to the situation within the guidelines of his training. Remember that he's a human being, and not just a trained robot. Perhaps if these two chicks had received some training during the course of their childhoods and were taught to respect the law like most people in a civilized society are, this incident might have been prevented; but perhaps I'm asking for too much.
He should have used mase or some other way than a direct punch…but given the crowd of kids around him, and the way the two girls were pushing and swearing he reacted out of instinct. In that situation I would have pulled a knight stick honestly. Even if not to hit, but to deter. They obviously don't care about cops…
Ummm, that “brutal force” wasn't stemming from jaywalking, it was stemming from those girls acting like fucking idiots. Senor Loco is absolutely correct. The law is the law, and it doesn't matter if a Black woman “trusts” the police or not. When an officer is citing you – WHETHER OR NOT YOU THINK YOU DESERVE IT – you back the fuck off and do as your told. It's not privilege that allows me this perspective, it's common sense and courtesy.
I say go cop! The stupid “Get the fuck off of me chick” should have shut her mouth to begin with and listened instead of acting like she was something to damn special to stop and listen. The other chick should have minded her own damn business and told her friend to quit acting like a bitch instead of thinking she had some place trying to get the officer to back off when he was doing his job. I would have punched her too. The funny part is the guy that didn't do a thing about her being punched in the face. Not saying he had any business doing it but most guys I know if they saw their girlfriend/female friend getting punched in the face they'd have a thing or two to say about it. I'm not racist but I saw a bunch of black people wandering around acting like they were to good for the law just worrying about making sure they caught the white cop on camera so that way they could show everyone how they are treated unjustly when in reality they were the ignorant ones that could't just stop and listen. They got what they deserved and i'm team cop on this one.
Really?! You're pulling a race card on this? There is nothing to say that any of this was racially motivated. Why is it automatically a black or white thing? If you were in the position of defending yourself do you consider the persons color before you do so? You are ignorant and are promoting ignorance in your statement. I don't care what color you are if I get ganged up on, I'm going to defend myself and keep myself safe. If the stupid broad didn't resist arrest and her ignorant cousin didn't assault the officer none of this would have occurred. If they didn't feel they were being treated fairly then they could have taken their citation and gone to court with it like any other citation.
looks like he handled her pretty well. right in the face. When you're 16 you should know well enough already that you can't put your hands on a police officer and not expect repercussions, he could just have easily of tasered her. I mean he was on his own, trying to handle two aggressive women while there was a crowd of people around him who were clearly not on his side. what would you do?
If that were my 17 year old daughter I would go to that officer and apologize to him for her acting the way she did. He is doing his job and she was acting like a fucking idiot. The linking you to an article or video showing similar 'police brutality to a non-minority' and you call this police brutality then have you ever watched Cops? They defend themselves from whites all the time.
This whole “White privilege” you speak of is not a white thing or a black thing or any other race, its respecting yourself, the law, and others around you. Cops are watched much more carefully these days especially in the larger cities and if they have habit of only arresting or siting a certain race they will be talked to and possibly fired. It it actually monitored because there are still ignorant people out there. In that same sense though there are also ignorant people that believe that any time a minority is arrested and force has to be used its because of race. They don't think about the fact that sometimes people fuck up and due to THEIR fuck up people end up getting hurt. Instead of turning and saying, “Well if he were black or those girls were white this wouldn't have happened” try educating people better and let THEM take responsibility for THEIR actions.
Oh. The point? You missed it. Here, let me unpack your invisible knapsack for you: http://www.nymbp.org/reference/WhitePrivilege.pdf
You would really rather him have maced the girl? mace is a weapon…it takes days for the effects to wear off. there is no way that punch was worse than mace, tazer or knightstick. these girls were resisting arrest, they were breaking the law. He was by himself, and he was protecting himself.
Thank. You.
I am so glad someone finally said this. I was about to engage a smackdown, but you got there first. I agree with everything you said. I was raised in an inner-city upstate NY town and now work in a public school in Brooklyn while I'm in school there. Hell, I'm white, I have privilege, and even I don't trust cops after seeing how they respond to certain circumstances. Not validating her agression, but if this was a white asshole teenage boy in the suburbs there would be a lawsuit faster than anyone could blink.
Um, excuse me? There are so many generalizations in this comment I don't even know where to start. I'm certainly considered poor by anyone's standards. My mother has been on welfare. I am not a “ghetto queen” nor does my conduct do anything to display my socioeconomic status. I'm smart. I go to what's considered a top university, and I take care to assure myself that my financial inabilities will not get in the way of a proper education and a good future. I know how to conduct myself in public.
Not only that, I've met some insane assholes offered every privilege in the world who I've witnessed doing WORSE to cops than these particular girls did. Sure, they were being disobedient and causing somewhat of a disturbance, but that has to do with attitude, not wealth or privilege. Additionally, I teach students who are poor as hell and are some of the most respectful children I've ever met.
Beyond that, ghetto is a horribly offensive term, often associated with race, and I feel as though you're also insinuating that their ethnicity had something to do with their conduct. Again, incorrect and an egregious generalization.
To be quite honest, I'm appalled that this kind of de facto racism is still a mindset. Grow up and gain some perspective, please.
dang. all this BS for jaywalking? 1) it's no use to fight a jaywalking ticket. it's not like you are going to jail 2)punching? really?
personally, I would have gone for the mace. at least people understand that. also, AFTER he punched her, he let her go and arrested the OTHER one first. mace or taze. you don't just punch people.
I don't know. that's just my opinion. I think it's ridiculous to be that resisting for a jaywalking ticket. so I don't know. everyone was acting stupidly.
i LOLed at “ugh short men”
…roooight?
Race matters in America, and if you don't know that, then you are ignorant when it comes to race or possibly blind due to privilege. It's not unknown to minorities or the police force, that officers do use race on the job. Does that not effect the way an officer handles the situation? Which is why you'll be hard pressed to show me (I'm not even gonna comment on 'Cops') compatible abuse of power by a police officer, to a non-minority (unless all non minorities are so demure that physical conflict w/ officers never happens) unlike my endless array of articles, video footage, and life experience. Do you not think these incidents effect the dynamics between law enforcement and minorities. The girl that was punched is someone's daughter, cousin, niece, as well as all the other cases such as this one. I'm definitely not condoning the females' behavior, but for damn sure a police officer has no right to subdue a 17yr. old by punching her in the face. If you cannot perform your duties as you are trained to do so as an officer, perhaps one should seek new employment in another field.
Reno: “Cops are watched much more carefully these days especially in the larger cities and if they have habit of only arresting or siting a certain race they will be talked to and possibly fired”. <—You are really kidding right!?! Here's a link to Citizens Against Police Abuse. http://www.louisvillepeace.org/CAPA/police_abuse.html
Seeing how the video only starts with the officer with his hand on one girl's neck and what looks like maybe the other girl's back, I'm going to graciously stand by what I said it stemmed from.
Toonsis: “When an officer is citing you – WHETHER OR NOT YOU THINK YOU DESERVE IT – you back the fuck off and do as your told.” <—If only everything was so black and white (pun unintended). I know of a someone who was being “cited” by an officer (for simply walking down the street to a friend's house) all the while being fondled and then told to do inappropriate things. She complied and was let go. Of course, that's dramatically different from what we're discussing. Point being, police officers are not above the law either. The situation could have been handled differently.
Oh I know there's all sorts of websites against police abuse and things like that you don't have to tell me about it. That has nothing to do with the fact that many of the departments use information from reports to determine if an officer is going after a certain race. I know its not everywhere but I know its in a lot of departments in my area because I have friends and family on the force. I know there are dirty cops out there but to watch something like this video and see a girl fully push an officer and him react to that to defend himself and everyone get up in arms that it was a race thing is total bullshit. From what I'm seeing in this video that officer would have done the same no matter who pushed him that hard and in my opinion with full right. Take some fucking responsibility for your actions and deal with things like a goddamn adult! Why do people scream race! every time something happens to a minority (which white people are becoming very quickly) There is such a thing as racism against white people too and I've seen that more times than I can count. No race is free and clear of it and if you think that I have never seen racism then you obviously don't know who you are dealing with. I have friends of all races and I have stood up to ignorant fucks who have treated them wrong because of the race they are. Never once have they ever said a cop did something to them because of the color of their skin, if they fuck up they buck up and take responsibility for it. Not try to get out of it with their race. These girls fucked up plain and simple and unfortunately this officer is going to pay the price because of political backlash. As far performing his duties the way he was trained he did a damn good job there's not too many ways to protect yourself when its 2 against 1. What if he tazed her? Would people still be pissed? Would it still be a 'race motivated'? Would that have been better? I would take a punch any day before being tazed anyday.
She was being handled roughly because she was resisting arrest and trying to get away. Just because she's female doesn't mean she's going to be touched with a feather instead of being physically restrained. And pushing someone IS in fact assault, which is what she did repeatedly! Again, I'm not saying he was right to punch her, but I think a lot of people are ganging up on the cop when he shouldn't be the one taking all the heat. Trust me, I don't like cops either, but to be honest with you I would have wanted to punch those girls too!
Don't resist arrest! they all should have got punched in the face! So much disrespect!
His form was perfect. From stepping into it and the follow through.
Would you be happier if he would have tazed her until that ugly weave caught on fire ??
Full Disclosure: I am white and older.
1st Impression: Jay-walking? All of this nonsense occurred because of Jay-walking? Sometimes those in authority need to use prudent judgment before turning minor infraction into world war three. This was completely preventable.
2nd Impression: Wow. If Jay-walking is all that takes place in Seattle, for cops to worry about, I'm on my way! Where I live, cops have to deal with actual, horrific crime and extremely dangerous people (armed robbery, sexual assault, murder, drive by shootings, gang warfare, illegal drugs, home invasions, etc.). The cops here at home have too much real crime to prevent and solve, to be bothered with someone who does not cross the street at the light.
3rd Impression: Yep. The girls were stupid. I don't care where you live; you don't ever, ever, ever, lay hands on, or fight with a cop. And yes, where I live, you give back talk to a cop, or lay hands on one; they will kick the living shit out of you – regardless of your race, color, gender, creed, or national origin. Expect to get hurt exceptionally badly – and while you bleed, cancel all plans as you can expect to receive no mercy from the judge. You will be spending the next few years inside the prison cell. Where I live, we have a charming little on- line page called “the booking blotter,” which posts the names, photos and charges of all those who’ve been arrested – you would be amazed to see the number of (formerly) pretty young white girls who’ve been messed up rather badly for “resisting arrest.”
4th Impression: This cop had better start looking for a new home in Kansas. His career in Seattle appears to be, pretty much, finished.
Full Disclosure: I am white and older.
1st Impression: Jay-walking? All of this nonsense occurred because of Jay-walking? Sometimes those in authority need to use prudent judgment before turning minor infraction into world war three. This was completely preventable.
2nd Impression: Wow! If Jay-walking is all that takes place in Seattle, for cops to worry about, I'm on my way! Where I live, cops have to deal with actual, horrific crime and extremely dangerous people (armed robbery, sexual assault, murder, drive by shootings, gang warfare, illegal drugs, home invasions, prostitution, etc.). Today it was reported that four people were arrested for attacking a pregnant woman with a stun gun and slashing her with a box cutter. The cops here at home have too much real crime to prevent and solve, to be bothered with someone who does not cross the street at the light.
3rd Impression: Yep. The girls were stupid. I don't care where you live; you don't ever, ever, ever, lay hands on, or fight with a cop. And yes, where I live, you give back talk to a cop, or lay hands on one; they will kick the living shit out of you (sorry for the profanity but facts are facts) – regardless of your race, color, gender, creed, or national origin. Expect to get hurt exceptionally badly – and while you bleed, cancel all plans as you can expect to receive no mercy from the judge. You will be spending the next few years inside the prison cell. Where I live, we have a charming little on-line page called “the booking blotter,” that posts the names, photos and charges of all those who’ve been arrested – you would be amazed to see the number of (formerly) pretty young white girls and boys who’ve been messed up rather badly for “resisting arrest.”
4th Impression: This cop had better start looking for a new home in Kansas. His career in Seattle appears to be, pretty much, finished.
I'm sorry, but you really had to add the “weave” part?
She was resisting arrest, when can you ever expect to get away with that? EVER? Man, woman, black, white, whatever the case, you can't just walk away from a cop and expect to avoid a citation in progress. And then the become physical with him and resist arrest – hello! Of course he's going to restrain and use physicality on your ass. That's his….job!
He Mase or some other way than a straight punch should be used … But given the multitude of children all around him, and the way the two girls were pushing and swearing he reacted out of instinct. In that case I would honestly stick to draw a knight.
digital camera memory cards
sheep! so if you think you are being unjustly reprimanded you just shut up and take it? shut the fuck up, its because of people like you that we live in a cop country. hope u get tassered bitch.
I'm amazed that everyone thinks that these girls deserve this! Their fucking teenagers. I would be freaking out too if some cop was first of all going to ticket me for crossing the god damn street, and then for trying to arrest me when what? what did the first girl do that had this cop all over her. I would be upset as well if a man that out weighed me by 50 pounds was shoving me into a car, and cranking my arms behind my back. Both girls were just panicking. That cop was frustrated and LOST CONTROL. He didn't even give the girl in pink a verbal warning first. WHO PUNCHES A 17 YEAR OLD GIRL???
First of all, by the story here. The cop was in his rights. Jaywalking is a crime. I.E. Walking from one corner to the opposite corner instead of walking to the next corner ‘using the crosswalk’ You block just about all traffic doing that bs. And there was a pedestrian overpass. She should of taken that. And if she was taught anything from her parents, it would be repect authority figures. So I guess she never got that lesson until that moment.
Those girls should of never backtalk to the officer and just followed the order. “He was interested in their safety of not getting hit by a car or van or any other vehicle. Just imagine if he did nothing and they did get hit. He would of gotten hammered big by the media and his station for not protecting their safty. And thats why there a pedestrian overpass. Punish the girls parents for not proper training them to behave themselves.