Another out of control police officer (Hot Springs, Arkansas)

[KBCraig]

http://www.katv.com/news/stories/0607/434405.html

Video Shows Hot Springs Officer Choking, Wrestling Skateboarders
Tuesday June 26, 2007 6:56pm

Hot Springs (AP) - Video from the popular internet web site YouTube that was posted by one of six people arrested for skateboarding in downtown hot springs is causing quiet a stir.

Hot Springs police say the skateboarders were in violation of a city ordinance. Now three minors and three adults are facing charges, and the officer who arrested them is on administrative leave.

The video--which was shot by one of the skateboarders, and captured almost the entire incident--was posted on YouTube Monday, and has already gotten more than 30,000 hits.

The kids who were arrested say they were just celebrating National Go Skateboarding Day last Thursday, but police say they were breaking the law.

(Matt McCormack, Arrested for Skateboarding) "He grabbed a kid from around his back by the neck and took him to the ground and choked him."

(Skylar Nalls, Arrested for Skateboarding) "The kid didn't know that he was coming after him. He kind of just grabbed him from behind and took him to the ground and started choking him."

Skylar Nalls first ran toward his friend, snapping still photos, before the 19-year-old Nalls is seen on the video running away from the officer.

(Nalls) "He looked up at me and pointed and he said, 'hey you, come here." And then out of instinct, I just ran."

Officer Joseph Williams gave up on chasing Nalls, but held on to the 13-year old.

Now that so many people have seen the incident on YouTube, the Hot Springs Police Department is being forced to take a strong look at one of their own.

(Officer McCrary Means, Hot Springs Police Dept.) "There is a flood of phone calls and emails...right now there is an investigation of the officer involved in the incident."

Two of the juveniles are under house arrest because it's their second time skateboarding on city sidewalks.

Click here to watch the YouTube video.

[Puke]

I'm glad I don't live in Arkansas any more.

[KBCraig]

I love Hot Springs. I really hate this. 

The edited video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH6AYVn2yw4

Raw video cut one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOKb2PQs4kc

Raw video cut two:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT6z0dQ_-pg

[Puke]

That's why it is so important to carry a camera these days.
People;e won't believe that cops are out of control unless there is video of it.

[Fluff and Stuff]

This is just a guess, but isn't that a $50 fine or something?  How can you go to jail for a citation?  That sounds illegal.  I hope the cop is arrested.  What, it looks like he broke enough laws to get a few years?

My prediction- he gets a slap on the wrist and all of the people get in trouble, they already have as they went to jail for a citation.  II'll call these numbers tonight,

Hot Springs, Arkansas Police Department
501.321.6789 & 501.321.6740

[KBCraig]

That's why it is so important to carry a camera these days.
People;e won't believe that cops are out of control unless there is video of it.

If you read the comments on KATV, you realize that "the people" largely view the kids as being out of control, and the cops being in the right. Not unlike the comments about the video of Liko Kenney and Bruce McKay's first encounter in 2003.

[Puke]

I could have guessed that. Most folks just see a bunch of punk kids up to no good. The pig is their big hero making society a more kind place.
Maybe next time that piece of shit cop will choke a kid to death. Then I wonder if anyone would change their mind?

[Spencer]

I could have guessed that. Most folks just see a bunch of punk kids up to no good. The pig is their big hero making society a more kind place.
Maybe next time that piece of shit cop will choke a kid to death. Then I wonder if anyone would change their mind?

There's an old saying that goes something like this: A liberal is just a conservative who has been arrested.

I think it should be changed to say: A libertarian (or classical liberal) is just a conservative who has been arrested.

[mvpel]

That's why it is so important to carry a camera these days.
People;e won't believe that cops are out of control unless there is video of it.

Can you believe that it's illegal to record cops here in New Hampshire?

[lowen]

That's why it is so important to carry a camera these days.
People;e won't believe that cops are out of control unless there is video of it.

Can you believe that it's illegal to record cops here in New Hampshire?

That is absurd. Although, I would find it much more favorable to record a cop abusing his power and suffer the consequences to have it used against the cop in court than to let the abuse go undocumented. The police have to follow the rules to have evidence used in court, but not us.

[LiveFree]

That's why it is so important to carry a camera these days.
People;e won't believe that cops are out of control unless there is video of it.

Can you believe that it's illegal to record cops here in New Hampshire?

That is absurd. Although, I would find it much more favorable to record a cop abusing his power and suffer the consequences to have it used against the cop in court than to let the abuse go undocumented. The police have to follow the rules to have evidence used in court, but not us.

Except the whole recording cops with audio is a felony thing.  Consequences would likely be MUCH more severe for you than the cop unless you caught them killing someone.

[Puke]

That's why it is so important to carry a camera these days.
People;e won't believe that cops are out of control unless there is video of it.

Can you believe that it's illegal to record cops here in New Hampshire?

Yeah, that's some bullshit. They can record us whenever they want. The difference is that I pay the pigs wages.

...so....angry...

[dalebert]

Can you believe that it's illegal to record cops here in New Hampshire?

That's absolutely nothing short of fascist and I think the FSP should place such things high on the priority of things to fix in N.H. I think just raising awareness about it and calling our representatives could do a lot. Perhaps we could build a montage of police abuse that's been caught on tape.

[error]

The FSP does not get involved in particular political issues. That's for YOU to do once the FSP has gotten you here!

[lowen]

Can you believe that it's illegal to record cops here in New Hampshire?

That's absolutely nothing short of fascist and I think we should place such things high on the priority of things to fix in N.H. I think just raising awareness about it and calling our representatives could do a lot. Perhaps we could build a montage of police abuse that's been caught on tape.

Fixed your post