http://www.channeloklahoma.com/okl/news/stories/news-155043020020709-170716.html
OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma City Police Department said it would investigate to determine if two metro police officers used excessive force in restraining a man who was being apprehended for allegedly soliciting a prostitute.
Police responded to the scene after receiving a tip from Brian Bates, who calls himself the Video Vigilante. Bates called police after he saw a man named Donald Pete get into a truck with a woman Bates believed was a prostitute.
In an arrest captured on video, Officer Greg Driskell ordered everyone out of the truck, including the woman and Pete.
On the tape, Driskill is heard asking Pete about something in his mouth. Then, Driskill ordered Pete to the ground. Bates said Driskill started striking Pete when he didn't move.
"He wasn't fighting or resisting. He just wasn't getting on the ground, so the officer pulled out his baton and started whaling on the guy," Bates said.
Driskill hit Pete several times and used pepper spray, but Pete still seemed uncooperative, the tape showed. Moments later, Officer E.J. Dyer showed up and offered assistance and both officers began using their batons, Bates said.
"I don't know why it turned into, 'Let's beat the guy to death,'" Bates said. "The officers asked me what should have happened. In my opinion they got the guy out. He wasn't fighting. The officers weren't in any harm. (They should have) backed away, drawn their weapons and waited for backup."
Capt. Jessica Cummins said the video may seem intense to some, but said the public should look at it from the officers' points of view and remember that Pete weighs 300 pounds.
"It might seem extreme. It might seem improper for what the officer was doing and them having to use their batons. But you have to remember how the officers are trained," Cummins said. "What the officers are concerned about is their safety. They are trying to make an arrest of an individual who is not listening or cooperating."
Cummins said the department is investigating, but that it could be several days before they determine if the use of force was too extreme or justifiable.
Pete was booked into the Oklahoma County Jail on several charges, including assault and battery, assault and battery of a police officer, resisting arrest, and engaging in an act of lewdness.
Copyright 2002 by ChannelOklahoma.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ LMAO@DISCLAIMER
:h:
OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma City Police Department said it would investigate to determine if two metro police officers used excessive force in restraining a man who was being apprehended for allegedly soliciting a prostitute.
Police responded to the scene after receiving a tip from Brian Bates, who calls himself the Video Vigilante. Bates called police after he saw a man named Donald Pete get into a truck with a woman Bates believed was a prostitute.
In an arrest captured on video, Officer Greg Driskell ordered everyone out of the truck, including the woman and Pete.
On the tape, Driskill is heard asking Pete about something in his mouth. Then, Driskill ordered Pete to the ground. Bates said Driskill started striking Pete when he didn't move.
"He wasn't fighting or resisting. He just wasn't getting on the ground, so the officer pulled out his baton and started whaling on the guy," Bates said.
Driskill hit Pete several times and used pepper spray, but Pete still seemed uncooperative, the tape showed. Moments later, Officer E.J. Dyer showed up and offered assistance and both officers began using their batons, Bates said.
"I don't know why it turned into, 'Let's beat the guy to death,'" Bates said. "The officers asked me what should have happened. In my opinion they got the guy out. He wasn't fighting. The officers weren't in any harm. (They should have) backed away, drawn their weapons and waited for backup."
Capt. Jessica Cummins said the video may seem intense to some, but said the public should look at it from the officers' points of view and remember that Pete weighs 300 pounds.
"It might seem extreme. It might seem improper for what the officer was doing and them having to use their batons. But you have to remember how the officers are trained," Cummins said. "What the officers are concerned about is their safety. They are trying to make an arrest of an individual who is not listening or cooperating."
Cummins said the department is investigating, but that it could be several days before they determine if the use of force was too extreme or justifiable.
Pete was booked into the Oklahoma County Jail on several charges, including assault and battery, assault and battery of a police officer, resisting arrest, and engaging in an act of lewdness.
Copyright 2002 by ChannelOklahoma.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ LMAO@DISCLAIMER
:h:
