There is another claim of excessive force and abuse against officers with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) after two officers who were allegedly caught on surveillance camera (shown below) slamming a nurse, Michelle Jordan, 34, on the ground twice after a traffic stop. Not only is the basis for the action in doubt, but the two officers are shown giving each other a fist bump afterwards.
Jordan was talking on her cell phone while driving and was pulled over. If true, that is a perfectly justified pullover and reckless conduct by Jordan.
After she pulled into a parking lot of a Del Taco restaurant, however, things went from bad to worse. The security tape shows the officers pulling the 5-foot-4 inch registered nurse from the open driver’s seat and then slamming her on the ground. She is then yanked to her feet for a pat down. Then for some reason, she is slammed to the ground for a second time.
She was later booked for resisting arrest and later released. We have seen various cases where abusive arrests are followed by charges of resisting arrest (here and here and here and here and here and here).
The identity of the officers is not known but one was a 20-year veteran of the force while the other was a probationary officer on the force for 10 months.
The video not only raises questions of excessive force and false charges, but tort liability. There is no evidence of Jordan resisting, though the camera is at some distance. That could lay the foundation for assault and battery charges as well as false arrest.
Here is the video:
Source: NY Daily News
At least this wasn’t racist..sexist maybe, but not racist. I’m singing Monty Python’s, “Look on the Bright Side of Life.”
wow… all of this for talking on the cell phone… how many cops talk on there cell phone each day ??? even if she mouthed off at them …its only words.. you learn to handle this in Human Diversity Course in the Academe when you go through the course… words can’t hurt you… even if she was getting back into her car let her write her the ticket … she wasn’t going anywhere the police car was behind her…. and a Vet cop with a rookie … wow he is teaching him a lot hmmmmm no need for the slamming the second time… and there are a few cops out there with an attitude when they pull you over… and there are some that are very pleasant… I don’t think they will lose there job… but she her medical bills will be paid for….I am sure of that and than some…… the world we live in today …..
Importantly, unlike many of the brutality cases you discuss on your blog, LAPD is taking swift action here. The Chief has removed and initiated demotion proceedings against the district commander for failing to take appropriate action in the wake of this incident. He also called the video disturbing and said administrative and criminal investigations are underway against the officers. It is a terrible incident but the response, to this one at least, seems to be adequate (so far).
As some others have inferred, I’m sure it was a good old case of “contempt of cop”, punishable immediately by a pummeling by these brave men. She may be an obnoxious person; I wouldn’t doubt it. But these guys don’t get to mete out the punishment. Take their badges (pending a full investigation, of course).
No one deserves a ticket for talking on a cell phone–it’s a victimless crime, I don’t care how unsafe you believe it makes the roads. No victim, no crime.
The only victim was this woman who was harassed and beaten by thugs in badges.
Talking on a cell phone while driving is stupid and is a traffic violation in most localities. The woman should have gotten a traffic ticket. I would presume that she was treated that way because of her words to the police officer. The problem is that many of today’s police believe that being disrespected by citizens is an offense to be personally punished. While I have never been disrespectful to police officers, despite at times feeling provoked by gratuitous officiousness on their parts, this is mainly because they are the people with the weapons and the power. The problem, as old as law enforcement, is that many are attracted to it not by civic duty, but by the desire to wield power over others. This seems to be such an instance and the officers should be severely punished for their actions, though I doubt they will be.
Some police officers have developed a Judge Dred approach to every person they encounter. In short–“I am the law.”. Judge, jury and executioner. The problem for anyone is you cannot tell which officers feel that way so each one is a threat to personal safety. Having to cowtow to a police officer and be totally submissive–no questions, no objections no matter how civil and respectful they may be can be made. It is freightening and it is destructive of both public safety and ultimately democracy.
These officers should be fired, prosecuted and sued. Unfortunately this rarely happens thus such be have is seen as tacitly approved of. I hope the victm of this incident is able to fully recover.
“Mike Appleton
Ms. Jordan will ultimately be grateful for having received this ticket.”
Very true … lemons made into lemonade
Bron: While it is true that some people “cuss” at cops – some people cuss at a lot of people – for cutting them off on the highway, budding in line, or just for existing. However, we don’t get to beat the crap out of someone when the “cuss” at us. These guys are entrusted by the people to walk around with guns – not only do I expect at least as good behavior as is expected of us, I expect better.
Bron, there is nothing this woman could have said to deserve being body slammed after already being handcuffed. Nothing.
There is no law that says you have to treat officers with respect and nice language… Its smart to say yes sir, yes ma’am…but its not required by law and police are supposed to be trained to ignore insults/etc.
There is simply no excuse for their actions. None.
I don’t see a single movement on her part that would require body slamming her. Maybe the cops can make up an interesting enough story for the first bodyslam, but there is no way in he double hockey sticks they can ever explain the second body slam.
You gotta have a real big little man attitude to body slam a handcuffed 5’4″ woman to the ground.
Absolutely offensive.
Two terrible police videos in one morning…I think my day is shot.
What do you think would come from this woman’s claims in the absence of video? It certainly makes me wonder about all the other times people claim excessive force and there is no video.
dont cuss at a cop. I have been stopped a few times and I say yes sir, no sir and have gotten out of a ticket with a warning most of the time.
You start acting like a prick and what do you expect. I wonder what she actually said to them?
A friend of my daughter was drinking at school and got arrested and started telling the cop he had a little weenie and cussing at him and even kicked him in the shin. He just took her to jail and wrote her up.
most cops are decent people and have to put up with a lot of BS from citizens. Maybe this dumba$$ nurse shouldnt be talking on her cellphone, it does cause accidents.
Ms. Jordan will ultimately be grateful for having received this ticket.
Police have decided that they can mete out extra judicial punishment whenever they chose.
These guys are cowards.
Do you mean “there is NO evidence”? It would make more sense that way.
They’re probably self insured up to a heavy 6 figure amount.
Wow. The lady deserved a ticket, but I did not know that being stupid is an offense that requires police officers to body slam people to the ground! I think the city better check its insurance coverage because I don’t think they want a jury to see that video.