"There should be a law against dumb law enforcement officers."
Wednesday, 5th September 2018
Dumb Cop Tasers 11 year Old Girl For Shoplifting
by Sharon Coolidge, Cameron Knight and Mark Curnutte
Cincinnati police investigators said an officer who deployed a Taser to stop an 11-year-old girl from shoplifting violated the department's use of force policy, but also found problems with his telling the girl: "You know, sweetheart, this is why there’s no grocery stores in the black community.”
The comment was caught on Officer Kevin Brown's body camera and is the second time the officer is accused of making inappropriate comments while doing his job.
Two years ago he was written up for using a homophobic slur in reference to an alleged domestic violence victim, though the woman did not hear him.
Councilman Wendell Young, a former police officer, said “I just don’t know if you have room on the police department for people like this.
This guy, from what I am hearing, has serious issues. He apparently polices the way he feels.”
Young said he’s not cavalier about anyone’s employment, but said “there comes a time you have to cut your losses.”
“If it’s true he tased the little girl, if it’s true that he said what he’s reported to say, if it’s also true that not terribly long ago he made derogatory comments about the gay community, he’s building a case that makes it difficult for us to continue with him as a member of the police department.”
Brown's punishment is up to Police Chief Eliot Isaac, who make a determination after an internal departmental hearing.
Punishment could range from counseling to termination, and Brown would have a chance to appeal any decision.
Cincinnati police released a use of force report related to the Aug. 6 incident involving Brown, 55, who was working a theft prevention detail at the Spring Grove Kroger.
Body camera footage was included in the release and shows the girl, who is African-American scared and crying as Taser barbs are taken from her back.
Brown, also African-American, violated four policies according to the report:
The comment constituted prejudice.
He did not turn on his body camera until after he deployed his Taser.
He did not warn the girl he was going to use his Taser.
He told her to stop three times as she was exiting the store, but did not warn that he was going to escalate his use of force.
The incident wasn't serious enough to deploy a Taser. Police investigators said officers should use the least amount of force necessary when dealing with juveniles.
Isaac told reporters Tuesday using a taser was "unnecessary in this circumstance."
Would You Like To Know More?
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2018/09/04/cincinnati-cop-who-tased-kid-has-several-procedural-violations-police-chief-says/1189843002/
