HPD Releases Statement on Video of Use of Force


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By Simon Albaugh – Yemeni American News

HAMTRAMCK, Mich. – A video has surfaced on social media, showing three officers using force against a mentally ill, homeless man during what appeared to be an arrest made at Veterans Park in Hamtramck.

According to the Hamtramck Police Department Crime Logs, the incident happened on May 3, at around 6:00pm. A report was filed on what was officially a transport to Detroit Receiving Hospital.

“At 1803, a Hamtramck resident was petitioned at the Detroit Receiving Hospital as detailed in the report,” reads the HPD Crime Log for May 3.

According to a statement provided by the Hamtramck Police Department, the incident was not an arrest, but rather a transport to Detroit Receiving Hospital after the person’s erratic behavior was reported by a local mosque.

“A bystander video showed only a portion of a longer conversation between the responding officers, all of whom have received training on the appropriate use of force and on responding to incidents involving mental health emergencies,” reads the statement from HPD.

The video itself shows two use-of-force tactics that community members held up to scrutiny. At the time when the person was apprehended, a collapsible baton is seen being swung near the midsection of the individual. The collapsible baton, the city says, was not used to strike the individual, but rather to pry the individual’s arm in order to be cuffed.

“The officer did not strike the subject with a baton,” said Max Garbarino, Director of Public Safety for the City of Hamtramck. “The officer was attempting to lock the baton in its extension position, then used it to pry the subject’s arm from underneath him. You can clearly see the baton opening and closing in the video.”

The other scrutinized use of force was an instance in which an officer used their knee to restrain the individual. In the video, it’s unclear where the officer’s knee was placed, leading some on social media to say that the restraint was a knee to the neck, reminiscent to the death of George Floyd at the hands of Derek Chauvin and three other police officers.

However, the Hamtramck Police Department maintains that this is not the case.

“At no time did any officer kneel on the individual’s neck or restrict his breathing. The individual was not arrested. He was transported to Detroit Receiving Hospital where the individual received the behavioral health services he needed.”

Hamtramck residents showed mixed reactions to the video, with some saying that the use of force shows that policing needs to change.

“The bottom line is we need to end the stigma on mental health and our police departments need social workers who can deescalate issues before it comes to this,” said Jennifer Newton in a Facebook comment to the video before it was taken down by the original poster.

At the end of the day, the incident was handled without injury, explains Max Garbarino.

“The amount of force used was the least amount necessary and reasonable within department policy,” Garbarino said. “The subject was not injured.”

 
  
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