KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Both departments involved in the controversial police takedown caught on camera by NBC Action News say an investigation is underway.
Click Here to Watch Video of the Arrest.
"After watching the video, I am concerned about the actions of some of the officers," Kansas City, Mo., Police Chief Jim Corwin said. "We are conducting a joint investigation with the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department.”
See What Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser Had to Say About the Arrest.Monday afternoon, three suspects in a white SUV led Kansas City, Mo., Police on a
20-minute, high-speed chase into Kansas City, Kan., where officers there joined the chase.
The suspects bailed. One tried to run away. He eventually surrendered. But, what happened next is raising eyebrows.
At least two officers repeatedly punched the suspect while he lie face down on the ground with his hands seemingly behind his head.
“Certainly, what I see on tape, it’s an improper use of force,” Capt. Rich Lockhart, a spokesman for the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, said Monday after the chase.
The District attorney charged 26-year-old Dandridge N. Washington, of Kansas City, Kan. Tuesday afternoon with two counts of felony eluding a police officer in connection with the high speed chase; he was the driver of the vehicle.
“I need to reserve judgment about the officers actions until after the investigation is complete,” Corwin said. “I can assure the community that we will be as transparent as possible through this investigation."
In a
press release issued Tuesday, the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department says they are working with KCMO in investigating the incident.
“The Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas Police Departments are professional organizations and hold our Officers to the highest standard,” the statement said. “Both agencies have policies regarding the use of force and the situation will be reviewed to determine if department policies were properly followed.”
On Monday, Lockhart called the incident disturbing. “What I see is a lot of officers doing the right thing and then I see one or two doing something that’s certainly very improper and something that gives us all a bad name.”
Several metro residents who watched the video agreed with Lockhart.
“I’d say it was a little unnecessary,” said Eric Liles.
“Where is the justice in this,” asked Quincy Minor. “The man already surrendered. It’s no need to keep on beating a man.”
“Before the police had even got to him, he was already putting his hands behind his head and everything,” said Taylor Greenbank. “So, it seemed like he wasn’t fighting them much.”
A former FBI special agent shared his opinion over the phone.
“It could be what we used to call the Code 3 syndrome,” said Michael Tabman. “Code 3 is where you run lights and sirens and you get all pumped up and you stop thinking clearly.”
