In a highly disturbing video, Minneapolis police officers are shown tasering a man who is clearly shown with his hands on the hood of a car and not resisting arrest. Rolando Ruiz is seen and heard screaming in pain from the taser, which is applied to the back of his neck and held to his body as he falls to the street.
The Minneapolis Police Department has been previously sued for such abuse caught on videotape.
Remarkably, Ruiz is asking only for $75,000 and discipline against the officer for violating his civil rights. That is a bargain basement price for the city, which should settle this case in a nanosecond.
I cannot imagine what could justify such an assault once the suspect is yielding in this fashion. Even if Ruiz was previously uncooperative, he is clearly not threatening the officer at the time of the tasering. What is particularly striking is not just the apparent submissive posture of the suspect but the cavalier attitude of the officer on the video. This comes on the same week that we posted other stories of the troubling use of tasers, here and here.
Here is some of the coverage of the tape from the station that first revealed the story:
For the video, click here
Unless there is an extraordinary untold story here, there is obvious grounds from not just tort liability but possible charges against the officer.
For the story and another video link, click here
Professor Turley!
Maricopa County Sheriff’s employee takes documents from defense attorney:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIoyJ-LyAaE&feature=player_embedded
(I couldn’t find an email link)
That is an amazing video. Time for Minneapolis to open their pockets because that is an obvious assault by this officer. I would hope that the prosecutors will do the right thing and bring charges against this officer and kick him off of the police force.
Seems like a classic case of police abuse to me….
is it possible for a civil class action suit against Taser Inc.? I ask because there is a great deal of evidence that their product is being used in abusive ways. They know the evidence as well as the next person, yet they continue to sell their products to police forces who regularly misuse them. Aren’t they responsible for ceasing to sell their weapons to forces that repeatedly misuse them?
Watch the clock. That’s at least 13 seconds of taser to the neck. Thirteen seconds is a lot. It’s a whole ‘nother dimension of “excessive”.
I believe that Mr. Ruiz and his lawyer have made a huge mistake. $75,000 is low ball, unless Mr. Ruiz was doing something entirely evil (on the scale of eating children, or just killed several officers) just before the video starts.
Another incident was just settled for $100,000:
http://excited-delirium.blogspot.com/2009/11/kaching-100000-settlement-for-police.html
I’d say that the $75,000 must include an explicit apology. If they refuse to admit it was a mistake, then slide the decimal point one place to the right. Those agreements of “no admission of liability or error” should cost a fortune.
That officer should be fired.
Cities and municipalities managing police forces should realize these taser rides are not worth it, in terms of dollars paid to settle claims.
In the mean time:
Timothy Dolan
Chief of Police
350 South 5th Street
Room 130
Minneapolis, MN 55415-1389
(612) 673-3787
E-mail: police@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Tip Line at (612) 692-TIPS (8477)
HN County Attorney/Victim Assistance …(612) 348-4003
Sadly, our concept of “highly disturbing” continues to shift as we are numbed by the volume and range of these cases.
The Taser is becoming a socially accepted extra-judicial punishment. Whether or not these cases settle for $75K or $1M matters very little. The evidence for acceptance by society is the unchecked growth in these abuses. Let’s face it: torture by law enforcement officers is perpetrated daily in plain view of cameras. Cases that should outrage the public simply do not.
Although many municipalities just settle with our tax dollars I see very few real consequences for the agents of the government who perpetrate the acts themselves. Department policies on use of force are rarely tightened. Internal investigations consistently vindicate officers. Prosecutors are not interested in pursuing even the most obvious crimes by police.
I see little hope that this force drift reverses. If anything, I expect it to get far worse as our paramilitarized police continue to push the envelope with new weapons and ever broader application of extreme force.
Excited-Delirium:
Can I use that name for a beer?
That officer should be fired.
If you’ll hold him, I’ll taze him.
Confused,
I hope it’s a Belgian style…
http://www.delirium.be/
B-man,
Should that read “should be [fried]“? After all, you are proposing to taze him.
puzzling:
You’re absolutely right on all counts! After poking around a bit looking at settlements to people who have been tasered it’s an acceptable cost of doing business. The government’s insurance company’s routinely settle rather than risk going to trial.
My erroneous thought (won’t be my last) was that with shrinking budgets governments would manage differently.
Prosecutors are not interested in pursuing even the most obvious crimes by police.–puzzling
Evan when wrongful death cases (excited delirium ≠ taser use) are settled, the police department maintained that officers followed procedure in the incident.
puzzling thanks again for corralling the facts and stating them so succinctly.
there isn’t a person alive who sees this video that would voluntarily subject themselves peacefully into the custody of a law enforcement officer knowing that this could happen to them.
especially when the officers are laughing and smiling,..
E-mail response:
Last night Chief Tim Dolan released the following statement regarding the incident to which you refer:
The Minneapolis Police Department finds the recent video regarding the use of a Taser very disturbing. As a result, we have asked the Federal Bureau of Investigation to review the case for possible civil rights violations. The Minneapolis City Attorney will also review for possible criminal charges. Lt. Glampe of the Minneapolis Internal Affairs will be coordinating the reviews.
Minneapolis Police training and policies related to use of force and Tasers are based upon national best practices and standards. We take any violations of those policies very seriously.
If you have other concerns please feel free to contact me. By state law we cannot comment beyond the above statement however.
Sgt. William J. Palmer
Minneapolis Police Department
Public Information Officer
350 South 5th Street Room 130
Minneapolis, Mn 55415
direct 612-673-2896 cell 612-919-9362 fax 612-673-2613
william.palmer@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
police-pio@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Apology? Fired? Bah. This appears to be a criminal action and should be prosecuted as such. Federal Civil Rights peanalties should just be “icing on the cake.” Not only does the officer appear to tase Mr. Ruiz while he is compliant, the officer continues to inflict pain on Mr. Ruiz after he is down and totally incapacitated. I can’t come up with any explanation for the action other than that the officer appears to want to torture Mr. Ruiz.
Growing up as a kid in the city of Chicago, we had a pretty clear understanding that a large portion of police officers (not all) engaged in this type of assault on suspects. Before the convenience of tasers, it was billy clubs, fists, boots and sometimes more creative implements. This fundamentally shattered any idea of “trusting” police officers – that they would act responsibly when issuing orders to citizens, that you should simply comply with their orders. You did what officers ordered not out of trust, but out of fear of their violence. That may be fine in Iran or Russia, but it’s nuts in America.
This officer should be fired. But first they should taser him in the neck. The victim was not doing anything that should have resulted in him being tasered. Police Brutality at its finest. I bet the officer was short and small, and enjoys the thrill of acting like a big man. Disgusting.
Uh, where is the rest of the video? The defense released what they wanted you to see, but what about the rest? What led up to this incident?
CCD – My thanks for your comment. It’s hard not to get exasperated as these crimes continue unchecked and in fact continue to escalate.
Vic – Can you see an action that “led up” to this assault that would justify the officer’s actions?
Here’s some things I expect to see as these abuses continue:
As these tactics by officers spread, more and more common criminals (and just everyday speeders) will feel compelled to take stronger measures to evade police.
While these reactions may have been dismissed as paranoia or mental instability in the past it will become clear that many of these individuals are everyday people who simply have a heightened fear of law enforcement.
Ultimately police abuses will lead to vigilante actions against officers, both at the point of contact and as planned retribution by individuals against unpunished officers.
Government will continue to anonymize officers and new weapons technologies will move to everyday deployment. I expect this to include sonic weapons (as seen in Pittsburgh), green lasers that temporarily blind, and the thermal laser gun. These new weapons will raise fears further, and they too will be widely abused over time.
If society fails to manage misconduct by police, eventually I would expect to see cases sufficiently outrageous to be a catalyst for organization of small groups willing to use violence against rogue officers.
Over time, the collective failure of prosecutors to pursue police abuses could become a significant factor in destabilizing society.
Gyges:
I need your help, what are some good beers? You seem to know a thing or 2 about beer.
If anyone else wants to chime in please do.
@ Byron,
Try La Fin Du Monde.
http://www.unibroue.com/products/fin.cfm
A triple fermented, 9% alcohol, French Canadian Golden Ale which is likely one of the very best beers I ever drank. Truly phenomenal.
BTW: La Fin Du Monde means “end of the world”.
Puzzling:
“Over time, the collective failure of prosecutors to pursue police abuses could become a significant factor in destabilizing society.”
Aren’t most police offers law abiding? The abuses we see are concentrated because of this blog. And certainly not all prosecutors are honest. But isn’t it because most police are professional and most prosecutors are law abiding that the malfeasance seems that much more egregious?
Much like when you are sick, it is not a natural state and so you react negatively.
BMan:
thank you, with 9% alchohol it will be a delerious state and delicious too.
The alcohol content sneaks up on you, but you can’t really “taste” it. I’m telling you, after having all kinds of beer from all over the world, this is my favorite Ale, by far.
Down here, I only know of one place to buy it and I have to drive two hours one way.
BMan:
that must be some good beer! I would not drive 4 hours for an illict affair with Eva Mendes.
LOL
Didn’t mean to infer that I do it often JUST for the beer. My work takes me thru Memphis often enough for me to replenish whenever necessary. I probably don’t drink, on average, 1 beer per week, if that.
But I used to…
B-man,
That is an excellent ale. But you are right about the alcohol content. It WILL sneak up on you. So will another fine ale (made in Belgium) called Maredsou Abbey Ale #11. It’s a tripple. Possibly one of the tastiest malt beverages I’ve ever had although a bit darker and fuller bodied than La Fin Du Monde, but man oh man, it can sneak up with Maxwell’s Silver Hammer. I’ve been told me and a furniture designer buddy celebrated his birthday one year with pitchers of Maredsou. I don’t recall specifics of the evening, or indeed, that entire weekend. The #11 runs at about 10%. It’s almost a barley wine, but so tasty you almost forget it’s beer. If you like ale and haven’t tried it, it’s worth a taste. I don’t drink often, but about twice a year I get a craving and go have one. They also make a dupple (8%) and a blond (6%) which may be more to your tastes if you like La Fin.
Byron,
Check out this sight if you want good beer reviews.
http://beeradvocate.com
And Byron?
You’re a fool not to take that four hour drive. ‘Nuff said.
Buddha:
I am married.
Buddha:
thanks for the beer website.
Bron,
How on earth did I miss a beer discussion?
Just drank the last of a four pack of La Fin Du Monde last night (We call it stupid juice around my house, due to the 750 two of us split one night). I love Unibrau, and aside from their Apple beer (and that’s just because I didn’t like the style, the quality was great), haven’t had a bad one from them yet. They tend to do Belgian styles, so expect a fairly high alcohol content that’s fairly sweet and will sneak up on you. LFDM is a triple, which is sort of hit or miss with me, some are a little too bubblegum-sweet (Belgian beers sometimes have candy sugar as an adjunct).
If you’re looking for good ‘extreme’ beers (higher alcohol, unique flavors, one a night type deals): Dogfish head, Unibrau, Avery, Laginetas, Boulevard, and Ommegang (which actually makes most of my favorite Belgian style beers) are a great way to go, and are pretty widely available.
For more regular session beers: Left Hand, Windmer, Brooklyn, and Sam Adams are all good American brewers; Paulaner, Spatan, and Warstiener are my favorite German brewers; Samual Smith, Youngs, are good English. I’d have to know a little more about what you think is a good beer to recommend anything specific.
A warning about Beer advocate and Rate beer: They tend to be populated by hop heads, so some low-hop styles are reviewed poorly just because the people doing the review don’t know what they’re talking about.
I believe the BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program) has their guidelines posted online, and at the end of every style description will be a list of beers they feel are excellent examples of that style. But just because a beer isn’t on that list doesn’t mean it’s bad, just not what people expect for that particular style, or not widely available.
Some other good resources would be to get a hold of one of Michael Jackson’s books or Garrett Oliver’s “The Brewmaster’s Table.”
Almost forgot,
With bottle conditioned beers (which have live yeast and are sometimes called “on lees”) don’t pour the whole thing (Except with some wheat beers), you’ll get the yeast, and in addition to clearing your digestive track out the next day, you’ll change the flavor significantly. It takes a little practice, but it’s pretty obvious once you hit the yeast.
Gyges:
thanks for the info. I am not a hop head. I like a more understated role for the hops. You should know they are there but they should not beat you over the head. They can overpower the other flavors in the beer.
I actually like the Belgium Style beers that I have had, but I have had limited exposure.
A buddy and I are going to do a little home brewing this Saturday and for some reason he was asking if I knew any good beers. I only know a couple but I figured you would as would Buddha.
Beulah Man seems to have given the common denominator of Malty Magnificence as both you and Buddha are fans. I should have figured it was that good when he said he would drive 4 hours to get a few bottles.
Gyges knows far more than I, but I do know what I like.
Sadly, the best beer available for me (close at hand) is a Sam Adams (yes, sad). Anything else is at least an hour drive round trip.
I am really intrigued by the Maredsou Abbey Ale #11, BiL was discussing.
And I agree that Unibrau has several different varieties that I have tried and are excellent. I haven’t tried the apple, but would if I could find it.
I live in a very small town still enamored by Budweiser.
Lulz,
That is frickin’ Highlarious
Byron,
No problem, next time you visit your sister (who I believe you said was in Denver), let me know. My day job is at one of the bigger liquor stores in the State which is in one of the ‘burbs. I could give you a tour of our beer room.
BuelahMan
“Sadly, the best beer available for me (close at hand) is a Sam Adams (yes, sad). Anything else is at least an hour drive round trip.”
BuelahMan, I’m a proud Sam Adams drinker and I’m thinking about having one of his Irish Red brews with lunch in fact. They make a perfectly good beer in a variety of styles for a reasonable price. And he was a patriot. Patriot and brewer. It’s your American duty to drink Sam Adams beer.
We have a really good local brewery owned by the Schlafly family and they make some excellent beer but since it’s Schlafly (Of Phyllis Schlafly founder of the Eagle Forum fame.) I won’t drink it. She was no patriot and I won’t enrich her family.
Sam Adams, patriot and brewer!
LOL
My comments come from a guy who can recite the little banner information paragraph on the Bud bottle verbatim.
Don’t know if horse piss would pass, but I’ve been known to enjoy a Pabst Blue Ribbon.
Of course, Sam is better than all of these. But in the world of beers, I have had some that make Sam pale, in comparison. But I still buy it.
I tried Yiengling (sp?) and didn’t like it at all. But what do I know, ‘cept what I like. Stick to the Sams and the good stuff when I get by there.
So is the man posing as “impostor” really bdaman or a billy derivative?
AY, Why be insulting by wondering aloud if he is either? His point regarding allegiance is more valid than not IMO and he sparked a good debate.
Buelah,
Here’s my hint for the day, go to E-bay, look under collectables\Breweriana, Beer\bottles: glass. You’re (in theory) buying the bottles as collectibles, so it’s mostly hard to find\ regional\high end stuff. It’ll cost you a bit, but it can be worth it. Just make sure that anything you buy says “unopened.”