Yeah.. a tragic accident. The cop is tragically incompetent.

Misfortune not malfeasance.

He should've just walked it off.

Wow, I mean the guy even put his hands up like woah woah woah okay I give and then the cop just slams him anyway.

Well at least he wasn't Tazered I guess

shoulda tazered him.

At best, reckless behavior worthy of being kicked off the force. At worst, 2nd degree murder.
That's not how you fucking tackle a suspect. I've watched a lot of COPS, and they never do shit that stupid.

If you're thinking of becoming a cop, take a moment to ask yourself, "Am I complete asshat?".

Can you blame the kid for running? Shit, I would have run too. Cops routinely rough up and arrest the wrong persons, so I wouldn't want to be a part of that statistic. And to those who want to say that the kid wouldn't have got fucked up if he hadn't run from them, think again. How many videos have we seen here where passive, unarmed people are roughed up and/or tasered by the police?

And if that truly is police procedure, then we need to change that. They sure as hell won't.

I think we need a new tag for videosift with all these videos popping up. *PoliceBrutality

Police should never have the right to exercise punishment on criminals. Their actions must fit the circumstances. Even if they had thrown the right guy into the the wall and a coma, it would still be excessive. Punishment should be left up to the courts.

I home the victim's family sues the hell out of the state for this.

He ran?

from the little we are being shown,i would have to conclude tragedy.
was that tackle a trained procedure? i dont see how it could be,its not even a tackle,its a shoulder push,and easily avoided.
i agree with darkhand..it seems the young man was slowing down and had his hands up in surrender,i dont think he realized the cop was gonna full-frontal assault him.one quick step either way and that cop would have eaten concrete.
i would like to know more,but based solely on this video it looks as if it was a bad series of events,topped with the cops over-zealousness to apprehend using poor techniques.
the cop should maybe look into another line of work.
i hope the young man pulls through,that would be the real tragedy if he does not.

Unfortunate? Accident? That was bloody assault, if I did that on the street I'd be up for GBH, and atleast manslaughter if the kid doesnt pull through, do the cops not realise that if they actually didnt clamber around to protect their own, the public might have greater respect for them and would be less likely to sue in events like this. If there is any Justice this guy should never be allowed to wear the uniform again and his superior interviewed should be stepped down.

I hate to say it as suing a public office is a bit like suing ourselves, its just really comming out of our back pocket, but I hope the family does sue and wins.

They want to dance around with semantics? Answer this:

Was it worth it? Yes or no.

What's going on in my state... is it our prox to border? is there some sort of steroid training program going on? wasn't seattle PD beating up little girls on camera a few weeks ago... fuckn hell.

COPS are full of BS and need to be accountable for this Police state mentality.. They sure as F@#K won't cut you a break so F@#K them!

To be fair, that wall TOTALLY had it coming.

>> ^Drax:
If you're thinking of becoming a cop, take a moment to ask yourself, "Am I complete asshat?".

Apparently I'm a complete asshat. By the way, if a officer yells at you to get your ass on the ground. Do it, you won't end up with your face being bounced off a wall. Pretty simple stuff isn't it?

Don't raise your hands, don't smile and look pretty. Just drop to the ground, saving yourself the problem. If you're innocent great. If you're not, you're saving yourself, and the cops the trouble of having to chase you down. Probable cause is just that, while I'm sure there's some idiots here who don't understand the term, or how it relates to an incident like this. I really do feel bad for you, because once it's gone. Might as well go back to mob rule.

Then again if the need hadn't been so high, and the qualifications so low in a lot of states several years ago, you might have a higher quality and standard of officers.

Man that whole active listening, and following instructions thing is pretty hard some days.

Argh.. stuff like this is what makes my blood boil. It's when the department covers for an officer like that that just farkin pisses me off. I hope the news isn't just slanted and got other comments about how sorry they farkin better be. Dude is in a coma from excessive force, no other explanation for the video even if the suspect ran 1 block to 100 blocks away.

Mashiki, there is no reason at all for that situation to have been handled like that. If you feel running from a police officer suddenly opens up permission for them to shove you full brunt into a concrete wall, then go back to watching COPS while other people vent some outrage over this, because it's fucking appalling what's shown in this video.

You are right about quality however. I saw evidence of this "Us vs Them" mentality from the police once when I showed up to court for a traffic ticket. Yes, traffic ticket. A female cop entered the hall before the courtroom opened up and she basically hid in a doorway looking around nervously (this drew my attention). When a fellow officer showed she rushed over to him and finally looked at ease as they started chatting, though she kept her back to everyone else.

While testifying the judge asked her if she could find it in her to stop referring to the man she gave the ticket to as, 'The suspect to my right.'. It's the only thing she would call him when retelling the incident.

His ticket? She gave him a ticket for honking at a car that wasn't moving with traffic as he was pulling onto the road from a parking lot. Excessive noise violation, or some such.

Could it be that this woman sees the world around her as completely corrupt, and finds the police force a source of good against the rest of the world? I dunno, but I think only fear and cowardice breeds actions like the one in this video. Don't get me wrong, I -do- respect cops for the bravery it takes to take the job in the first place, and I do treat them with respect, not this guy though.

(I'm not even going to try and figure out how you think I called -you- an asshat. Even if you're a cop, my comment didn't state that all of them are.)

Normally I'm pretty disgusted by the brutality videos I see on here, but let me play devil's advocate for once.

It looks like there's about a two second delay between the man stopping (surrendering?), and him getting body-checked by the cop. Considering that the cop had to have been running after him at full tilt, I don't think it's unreasonable to assume that it was going to happen. It's certainly tragic that the man was injured so badly, but by that point the cop was already committed to a tackle on a fleeing suspect, and throwing your arms up at the last second isn't some kind of magic ward against harm, is it? "Oh hey guys, I was just joking with that whole running away bit!", when the time scale is more like, "Oh hey guys-" *BAM*

I think this video more properly demonstrates why you don't run from the cops. Ever. Even if you're innocent, running is only going to end with something very physical getting done to your ass soonest, even if only to stop your running. I don't think the police chief was "covering" for this guy at all, but rather making the same conclusion.

It might not appear that way to the folks who assume that every cop-related piece of violence makes them automatically guilty (though there are plenty of the guilty ones already).

I believe the man ran, but it looks to me like he was down to a light jog at best by this point for a length of time plenty enough for the cop to determine what to do. He was obviously going to catch up to him, but he choose to shove him to the ground as hard as he could.

Remember the olden days when cops didn't need to tackle or taze people they arrested? Those were the good ol' days.

If the dude had been guilty this would have sifted as "Gangbanger gets Pwned" and everyone would have thought it was super hilarious.

This reputation for cops stopped me joining up. I didn't want to be a part of some misogynist old boys club. Same thing stopped me from entering construction.

I probably would have been shit at both I guess... but how many people are turned off serving society by shit like this? Or worse... who is turned on by it? How many "asshats" join up to drive fast and smash faces?

Too many cops seem to have the attitude that their badge is a license to assault people.

I know when I'm walking down a street at night and hear a bunch of men dressed in dark clothes across the way yelling, I'm always 100% clear on what they're saying, who they are, and what the fuck is going on. That's how I always know to calmly sit on the sidewalk to let these men who I know are cops come over to check me out, because I have nothing to hide and no reason to be confused at all about their orders.

There's too little on the video to know exactly what started the chase, or why he ran. I don't like being in crowds or at concerts because I can NOT make out a majority of what's being spoken around me, because I can't process it. Someone yelling from across the street while I'm in my own little world isn't necessarily going to get their message across to me in the first (or second) yell.

Lot's of "experts" giving their opinions on use of force and officer safety here. Even for someone who actually has some knowledge of police procedures (which none of the people who have a problem with this do), this video provides a great deal less then sufficient information to judge and condemn this officers actions. I realize that having no knowledge or experience on a subject doesn't stop the average sifter from feeling he has something to say, but it sure would be nice if it did.

Have you ever attempted to apprehend someone who resisted? How about someone who resisted with a weapon? Notwithstanding the trendy anti-police, all cops are crooked pigs, fuck authority BS most seem to follow around here, there are other people who hate the police even more. They hate them because they are nasty, sick people and criminals and they have no qualms about attacking police. Police deal with these assholes on a daily basis, and deal with them in a manner which keeps them safe. The subject of officer safety is far to large to get into here, but suffice it to say that Police use tactics, and have instincts that keep them alive. If you have never done the job then you don't understand them and look foolish trying to pretend that you do.

This officer was legally apprehending this guy. The fact that he ultimately was not involved in the offence being investigated is unfortunate, but not something the officer knew at the time. Was the guy running? was he not following verbal commands? Where were his hands? What was in his hands? Was he facing the officer, or turning away to hide something? I can't speak for this cop because it is possible he is a power drunk asshole who enjoys beating people up.. however... if it was me, I would feel terrible that this innocent guy got hurt... but depending on the stuff this video doesn't show, I wouldn't regret my actions. Any cop who works in a major city has been in many similar situations where the guy was the right guy and he did have a knife or other weapon... and had the arresting officer not acted properly someone gets a 6" blade in their neck.

anyone else think maybe it dosent matter if you were allowed to arrest him, smashing him into a wall is a bad thing ?

>> ^Mashiki:
>>^Drax:
If you're thinking of becoming a cop, take a moment to ask yourself, "Am I complete asshat?".

Apparently I'm a complete asshat. By the way, if a officer yells at you to get your ass on the ground. Do it, you won't end up with your face being bounced off a wall. Pretty simple stuff isn't it?
Don't raise your hands, don't smile and look pretty. Just drop to the ground, saving yourself the problem. If you're innocent great. If you're not, you're saving yourself, and the cops the trouble of having to chase you down. Probable cause is just that, while I'm sure there's some idiots here who don't understand the term, or how it relates to an incident like this. I really do feel bad for you, because once it's gone. Might as well go back to mob rule.
Then again if the need hadn't been so high, and the qualifications so low in a lot of states several years ago, you might have a higher quality and standard of officers.
Man that whole active listening, and following instructions thing is pretty hard some days.

You're missing one pretty major detail. We're animals. Sometimes we react with our instincts (ever heard of fight or flight). This kid probably didn't sit there and think "should I run or should I not". He probably was in a rough area and saw 2 people running after him and reacted. Even if he did recognize them as cops, if he was scared he might run without discrimination. It's hardwired into our heads. You can't punish somebody for instinct. Now he's in a coma. Furthermore, You can't put the law above somebody's safety and well-being, Judge Dredd.

>> ^rottenseed:
You're missing one pretty major detail. We're animals. Sometimes we react with our instincts (ever heard of fight or flight). This kid probably didn't sit there and think "should I run or should I not". He probably was in a rough area and saw 2 people running after him and reacted. Even if he did recognize them as cops, if he was scared he might run without discrimination. It's hardwired into our heads. You can't punish somebody for instinct. Now he's in a coma. Furthermore, You can't put the law above somebody's safety and well-being, Judge Dredd.

Not missing the point at all. Sitting there, and thinking is what actually makes us different from an animal(that kicks in with fight or flight). That's that whole point behind that big juicy brain. Having been in situations similar to it more than once and on both sides, if you're actually using your brain then it's not that hard.

Might come as a shock, but you know police, firefighters and paramedics as well as other people do put the law above a persons safety every day. Otherwise they'd never get their jobs done. Scary thought isn't it?

*promote the controversy

Promoting this video back to the front page; last published Friday, May 22nd, 2009 2:13pm PDT - promote requested by kronosposeidon.

>> ^blankfist:
Remember the olden days when cops didn't need to tackle or taze people they arrested? Those were the good ol' days.


Yeah. They just shot back with tommy guns.

I think it's reasonable to say that the kid was pointed out, and felt intimidated when he couldn't immediately tell what was happening. For all we know, he saw two burly silhouettes barreling down on him. When he realized the shouting was coming from a police officer, he slowed down. Then he got knocked the fuck out. To me, an officer that attacks that aggressively is scared himself--so why is it unreasonable that the kid was scared and ran?

@ Mashiki & Sofaking


You don't have to act like total douchebags because you disagree with most commenters here. And yes, there are many members here who have experience with law enforcement, as well as active duty military members, so cut with the "none of you know anything" garbage.

It's a very simple thoery called "excessive force". It is against not just the cops training, but also the law to use excessive force while apprehending a suspect.

Now the guys in a fucking coma, and you're defending the cop? What a strange world you live in.

>> ^volumptuous:
Now the guys in a fucking coma, and you're defending the cop? What a strange world you live in.

I agree that the video is inadequate to develop an informed opinion, but I doubt anyone thinks the cop intended to put someone into a coma. That's what makes it an accident. He may have used excessive force, and it may have even been malicious, but the extent of the boys injuries are certainly accidental.
The cop should absolutely have to worry about being able to justify (or accept punishment for) his intent.

Think about it this way, if you can: Roll back this video in your mind, and pause it right before the cop collides with the kid. Draw out a multiple choice list of possible outcomes: a) kid gets nailed, falls down; b) kid gets nailed, tossed into wall, falls down; c) kid gets nailed, breaks a limb; d) kid gets nailed, hits wall, goes into coma
Would you honestly be likely to pick d if you didn't already know the outcome?

King County? The same place where they beat the hell out of a defenseless girl?

Yeah, under the 3 strikes and you're out law in California, aren't they facing complete dissolution and replacement by a COMPETENT law enforcement team?

Seriously.

Sorry sofaking. You are just wrong. From the video, it is pretty clear they guy is just standing there at the point where the cop body-fucking-slams him against a concrete wall. If you are implying that the wrestling-worthy move the cop makes is in any way "standard procedure" then it is YOU who hasn't a fucking clue about common police procedure for a take-down.

Go away.

>> ^ponceleon:
Sorry sofaking. You are just wrong. From the video, it is pretty clear they guy is just standing there at the point where the cop body-fucking-slams him against a concrete wall.

But for how long? If you think you can throw your hands up and surrender mere seconds before being tackled, then you're one hell of an optimist, Ponce. It would take at least that long for the sprinting cop just to stop, let alone having registered the fact that the man was giving up. Maybe he is a bully who was just looking for an excuse to bodyslam some poor schmuck with the authority given with his badge, but the result would likely have been the same even if he wasn't.

I don't know anything about "standard procedure", but I know plenty about physics, and enough to recognize some serious wishful thinking exhibited here. If this cop is truly guilty of the wrongful use of force in this case, then I'm guilty of murder for every deer I've ever hit with my car for not stopping in time.

So you are willing to pass judgment without all the facts and information AND you can't tell the difference between someone who is walking and someone who is standing still? I know who I am and what I do and how it qualifies me to have an informed opinion on "police procedure". I also know that you do not, since no police officer on this planet would pass judgement on this officer without knowing the multitude of facts this video DOES NOT show.

>> ^ponceleon:
Sorry sofaking. You are just wrong. From the video, it is pretty clear they guy is just standing there at the point where the cop body-fucking-slams him against a concrete wall. If you are implying that the wrestling-worthy move the cop makes is in any way "standard procedure" then it is YOU who hasn't a fucking clue about common police procedure for a take-down.
Go away.

I am amazed at the number of people here judging so harshly on incomplete information. There is NOT enough video to tell what was really going on there.

These cops thought that the guy had just attacked somebody with a knife! They ran towards him (rather than fleeing for their lives) in order to stop him from hurting anybody else. That's some brave shit right there.

Yeah, the takedown could have been better. Just look at that video and imagine the kid had a knife when he turned to face the cop. I bet the cop had that image in mind.

So it could have been many things. Incompetence, brutality, or accident? There just is not enough video to know.

If you want a clear-cut case of police brutality, there are plenty of other videos here on the sift for you. But not this one.

It's sad to see these examples from USA. Back here in Europe these things are SO rare that it is frontpage news if it happens. Could it be the more reasonable gun laws? Or is it just a culture difference? Don't know but i have to say that i've been dealing with police a lot in the past and none of them have showed me any signs of force, even when in some cases i would've probably been tasered in US. No, i haven't shown any resistance of arrest just the common arrogance of youth. Every cop i've been dealing with have used common sense and things don't get heated up. This video doesn't show everything but the comment about "you should drop to your knees when someone shouts", hmm let's see: He was not actively running anymore, it doesn't look like he was running like hell anyway and maybe he was getting ready to kneel. I mean, would you DROP to your knees in a concrete? Probably not.. It hurts..

These videos are coming a bit too often. There's certainly something seriously wrong in the US of A. It seems like everybody's mad there. I'm just happy i don't have to live there and while it is a magnificent country, the way thingsa are now, i don't even dare to visit there. Too bad, like i said, it is a magnificent, beautiful country. Canada in the other hand is a whole different place.. What's the difference? You tell me...

>> ^CreamKreator:
Don't know but i have to say that i've been dealing with police a lot in the past and none of them have showed me any signs of force, even when in some cases i would've probably been tasered in US.

Despite their apparent prevalence, I'm fairly certain these videos represent fringe behavior. My experiences with police officers have largely been positive, though I can't say my behavior's ever been taser-worthy.

If witnesses can account that the police did indeed shout for him to stop and get on the ground, both sides have some pretty equal blame... that said the camera clearly showed the boy wasn't running nearly as fast as an escape velocity run would need to be, and he showed absolutely NO aggression or intent to harm with a weapon. There was NO need to a take down, they should have drawn their guns or tasers and THEN see what the boy would do next.

So in the end there really was no NEED for a take down blow, I don't care if you have reliable information that that guy was saddam hussein, if hes just chilling and has shown no aggressive movements or show possession of a gun, there is NO reason for that violent take down.

Strangely, we seem to be suffering from a wave of "tragic accidents".

chugga chugga choo choo! 270 lbs COMIN THROUGHHHH

I have a close friend who is a state trooper. If I have learned one thing from conversations with him its this: as an officer you treat every situation as potentually life threatening where there is cause to believe it is.

The man was believed to have stabbed someone? Take him down fast, and stay on him to unsure the safety of myself and others. The officer in my opinion did the right thing. He knocked the guy down fast ans immediately moved in to put the guy in cuffs. Its unfortunate that the officer misjudged his body check, but from the video I'm not inclined to believe that brutality was the intent.

>> ^TheSofaKing:
So you are willing to pass judgment without all the facts and information AND you can't tell the difference between someone who is walking and someone who is standing still? I know who I am and what I do and how it qualifies me to have an informed opinion on "police procedure". I also know that you do not, since no police officer on this planet would pass judgement on this officer without knowing the multitude of facts this video DOES NOT show.
>> ^ponceleon:
Sorry sofaking. You are just wrong. From the video, it is pretty clear they guy is just standing there at the point where the cop body-fucking-slams him against a concrete wall. If you are implying that the wrestling-worthy move the cop makes is in any way "standard procedure" then it is YOU who hasn't a fucking clue about common police procedure for a take-down.
Go away.




Oh Please.... why not just draw your weapon and point? The guy was clearly going for a crazy take-down... As for walking v. standing still, so what. If all you have is that the person is slightly moving, I'm just not seeing the justification for putting him in a coma. As for you being "qualified" to pass judgment on this video, I shudder to think what you do and what "tragic accidents" you might be involved in.

I think this video more properly demonstrates why you don't run from the cops. Ever. Even if you're innocent, running is only going to end with something very physical getting done to your ass soonest, even if only to stop your running.

I think you're gagging for a black and white interpretation to fit into your black and white world.

>> ^ponceleon:
I'm just not seeing the justification for putting him in a coma.

The cop didn't decide to put the kid into a coma. I'm pretty sure no one feels that putting him in a coma is justified. The coma was an unintended and unforeseeable consequence. An accident. Indeed, a tragic accident.

The full-tilt body check, however, was not an accident. That's what must be justified.

And I'm with several of the other commenters here - there's simply not enough shown in the video to develop an informed opinion.