There is another disturbing videotape of a beating by police in California. This incident involves a bizarre chase of a suspect on horseback in San Bernardino county. The aerial footage shows the suspect on the ground after being stunned by a taser. Despite no evidence of resistance, the sheriff’s deputies proceed to punch and kick Francis Jared Pusok, 30. Pusok was suspected of stealing the horse. Three deputies were injured during the search — two from dehydration and a third was injured when kicked by the horse.
The encounter was the culmination of a bizarre series of events that started when deputies went to a home to serve a search warrant in an identity theft investigation. Pusok took off in a vehicle and deputies pursued him. Pusok then allegedly abandoned the vehicle and took off running. He lalter allegedly stole a horse and rode it on dirt trails. From the video, he does not appear a particularly skilled horseman.
The video below appears to show an unjustified and savage beating by the officers. There is obviously a possibility of not only termination but possible criminal charges against the officers. The police have launched an investigation.
Pusok has convictions for resisting arrest, animal cruelty, disturbing the peace, attempted robbery and failure to provide evidence of financial responsibility. However, that record does nothing to excuse this beating. While the department has claimed that the taser device was “ineffective due to his loose clothing,” it seems quite effective in the video. It would be interesting to see if the officers made this claim in their reports because the video shows Pusok on the ground and not moving. It then shows the other deputy quickly begins kicking him in the head and the deputy with the Taser is seen kicking Pusok in the groin area. Five more deputies arrive and join in on the attack. They then let him lay there for approximately 45 minutes, without receiving medical attention.
I cannot see a viable defense for these officers from this videotape and the analogies to the Rodney King beating are understandable. This case has the makings of a massive civil lawsuit as well as possible criminal charges against the officers. Pusok has an attorney.
“Authority worship” is not a “straw man” I was “pummeling,” Einstein. It’s the argument I was making.
Karen, I think what occurred was tired rage. But, also in play is the fact that cops have not adjusted their behavior despite the ubiquity of cameras. They are going kicking and screaming into the current reality, and the future. Hopefully my saying it was tired rage does not put me in a straw man suit. I have stated criminal charges need to be filed. This behavior is unacceptable and inexcusable.
fiver:
I never said community relations was the problem in this video. In fact, I said, “The description of the beating sounds really disturbing, and I’m glad they’re investigating.”
My comments about community policing were about improving police relations in general, not any defense against completely illegal beatings. Plus I commented about the disinfecting spotlight of public scrutiny.
If you think that’s defending police brutality, then you’re not really reading what was written. Everyone is saying that on the one hand, you shouldn’t run from the police or break the law, and on the other hand, these cops should be charged. Both statements are true.
Whoever owns the horse is immaterial. The horse needs to be given a Medal of Freedom by President Obama for kicking the pig that was kicking the human.
Some folks don’t get macro/micro, big picture/myopia. This incident is an abomination. It needs to be dealt w/ criminally. That’s the micro issue. The macro issue is a disconnect between cops, and the people they police. I again apologize for introducing another entrée, besides the steak tartare being gobbled by some here.
I guess forensic psychology must be a reprehensible field, as seeking to identify and understand behavior they disagree with “says a lot about them.”
fiver…
While almost any death is tragic… and Mr’s Gardner and Scott clearly did not deserve to die, nor Mr. Pusok to be beaten… why does my question make you and some others so uncomfortable?
It is not at least possible that their personal decisions to run from the police contributed to the escalation of the events? Had they simply complied with instructions from law enforcement instead of evading or resisting would the results have been different?
I am in no way excusing any inappropriate action of police officers. If guilty of crimes themselves, they should be punished.
The argument can be made, and it would be 100% correct, that an unarmed person does not deserve to be killed or excessively beaten for simply resisting the police… But the cold fact remains that these individuals made a personal choice that was at least likely a contributing factor to the unfortunate results.
Pogo,
You keep using the term “straw man.” I do not think it means what you think it means.
Paul – you’re kidding. No one caught the horse and he just stuck around with a helicopter and beating going on?
My horses would have said, “This sucks,” and gone home.
I wondered that, too, if the cops just completely lost their temper because they had to chase a guy through the desert until they were dehydrated. It doesn’t excuse it in the least, but I’ve been trying to figure out why so many cops would throw their careers away in full view of news helicopters. What are the extent of the injuries of the horse thief? How did the officer get kicked? I couldn’t see all of the video. What did this guy do to the rider in order to steal the horse? Was that rider hurt and then on foot miles out in the desert?
Karen – As best I could see the horse never kick anyone. Must have happened later. The dehydration would be common, but I am sure it was not severe. The officer seemed to shoot the taser and slip in loose rock at the same time, or the guy just fell off the horse because he was a bad rider. My thinking was the horse was trained that if the reins are on the ground it stays.
Yes, there are people who understand this behavior. What does that say about them?
“It doesn’t and no one said that it was an explanation for this video.”
Fiver: “I see straw people.”
http://www.etonline.com/photo/2014/04/24077013/200_haley_joel_osment_the_sixth_sense.jpg
I think it’s an issue, and community relations should be improved. But how does that explain what we just saw?
It doesn’t and no one said that it was an explanation for this video.
Community relations is the problem? After watching this video?
Don’t get me wrong. I think it’s an issue, and community relations should be improved. But how does that explain what we just saw?
Improved race relations, improved community relations, better training, and body camera’s are all great ideas, but that doesn’t address the root problem here: our society is hiring thugs and making them cops.
What kind of person needs training to know you don’t begin a gang beat down on a man face-down on the ground with his hands behind his back? What kind of bad community relations results in a dozen cops either beating a helpless man or watching him get beaten and doing nothing.
To most people, this behavior is abhorrent. But to a thug it’s simply second nature. And they know they can away with it.
First, I agree with Karen about the horse. Second, they never really seemed to secure the horse but it was mellow enough to stick around. Third, he was a terrible rider. Fourth, his clothing did seem loose so the tasing might not have worked as well. Fifth, there were a number of officers involved in the case, the copter person said three of them were down before the suspect was. And by the time they all get there, there is a bunch of them. Each high on adrenalin. This is where is goes bad, IMHO. Each want a piece of him since they have been chasing him. I don’t agree with it, but from a humanistic standpoint I understand it.
Nick – thanks! I will take you up on that when I have my final draft. I really liked your wife’s books.
Speaking of hallucinogenic drugs, have you heard about the latest problem in FL involving a new drug called Flakka, known as the “$5 Insanity”. It’s related to bath salts, and can make the user homicidal and/or suicidal. Several have broken into police stations. Scary stuff. I hope it doesn’t spread.
http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Police-Doctors-Warn-Against-New-Synthetic-Drug-Flakka–296148661.html
fiver – an unjustified police beating has nothing to do with any justified shootings, or injuries sustained by a suspect resisting arrest. The unlawful does not affect lawful. The salient point is to identify and prosecute unlawful violence. One of our friends is a police officer who has been shot on the job. He worked in an anti-gang unit. Every time he has discharged his weapon, it has been justified. He’s got 2 kids, and he’s been shot at least once by gang members. He was in full foot pursuit when the suspect suddenly turned and opened fire with a gun he’d had concealed. There was no cover and he had to draw and return fire instantly. He got a flesh wound and he killed the suspect. Even though it was justified, it was thoroughly investigated and he could not patrol until it was completed. The beating in this video is completely different.
Karen
Were any hyenas injured at the chow down?
Liz W
It appears that way. All the more reason for the family to be concerned and take to the press about these “peace” officers.
@fiver
““authority worshipers look for some excuse”
“A “straw man” is an argument that nobody is making ”
True, and nobody made the argument that they ‘worshiped’ authority.
Your examples are merely speculations that Mr. Scott might have lived had he ‘done what the police asked him to do.’
That’s a not unreasonable query.
The video today however suggests that compliance is no guarantee of safety for a criminal.
That’s not ‘authority worship,’ which is merely the straw man you pummeled, but simple rational thought.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gb33mkB5ogo/VSf0KTAM4zI/AAAAAAAAApc/xJkve25k1YA/s1600/strawman.png