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As some accuse Racine police of using excessive force, expert says officers seen in video did nothing wrong
As some accuse Racine police of using excessive force, expert says officers seen in video did nothing wrong
RACINE -- Was it excessive force? That's what some are alleging against the Racine Police Department after an arrest this past weekend was caught on camera. Racine police officers are seen striking a man, using a taser on him, and then calling in a K-9 officer in order to take the man into custody. Amid the allegations, a law enforcement instructor tells FOX6 News the video shows the officers involved did nothing wrong.
Richard Cole
Richard Cole is a law enforcement instructor at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC). He says he can see how someone could find the video to be disturbing, but he says once you become aware of the context surrounding this arrest -- it becomes easier to understand the police response.
The arrest occurred on Saturday, August 22nd.
"If anything, this video`s a good snapshot into how the use of force happened," Cole said.
Excessive force allegations against Racine police after arrest of Joshua Ammon
Cole says the video illustrates why officers used a taser, knee strikes and a K-9 officer to arrest 30-year-old Joshua Ammon.
"He`s resistive and combative and not following directions the entire time," Cole said.
Court records show police were looking for Ammon because his girlfriend told officers he had been terrorizing her -- constantly calling her and sending her threatening text message such as one that read: "I don't care u show cops either. They can't always attend to you 24/7."
Joshua Ammon
"That`s scary stuff if you`re receiving it," Cole said.
Ammon has previous convictions for battery and resisting an officer -- something Cole says police also have to take into consideration.
"You`re dealing with someone who`s just not going to comply with your attempt to take them into custody," Cole said.
Ammon's aunt says the level of force used to arrest him was unnecessary, given the number of officers involved.
"I don`t think anybody deserves it. Not like that. There`s five to six police officers on him," Elida Ramirez said.
"Law enforcement`s not there to fight it out with anybody. They`re there to gain compliance and take somebody into custody to start their way through the criminal justice system," Cole said.
Excessive force allegations against Racine police after arrest of Joshua Ammon
Racine police issued this statement to FOX6 News regarding this case:
In this latest case filed against him, Ammon has been charged with:
He'll be in court on September 2nd for his preliminary hearing.