He was handcuffed as police were escorting him from a residence to a patrol car. A Miami-Dade police sergeant is seen slapping the car airbag theft suspect.
The slap was necessary, the sergeant said, because he thought the suspect was going to spit on him. (THREAD)
The slap was necessary, the sergeant said, because he thought the suspect was going to spit on him. (THREAD)
Like many other law enforcement officers, he was acquitted by a jury after a 3-day trial. hrld.us/2SrXyUk
One Miami police officer kicked a handcuffed robbery suspect after a foot chase in Overtown.
Another cop kicked a teen burglary suspect, also handcuffed and lying on the ground during an arrest in Northwest Miami-Dade.
Another cop kicked a teen burglary suspect, also handcuffed and lying on the ground during an arrest in Northwest Miami-Dade.
In each of these cases, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s office charged the officer criminally after compelling video surfaced of the rough arrests.
And in each instance, jurors or a judge acquitted the cops.
And in each instance, jurors or a judge acquitted the cops.
The cases underscore that while South Florida prosecutors are charging more police officers in excessive force cases, convincing jurors to convict cops of crimes remains a difficult sell.
And there are more trials to come. At least six police officers in Miami-Dade and Broward counties are facing upcoming trials in state cases stemming from rough arrests.
“Many cases are prosecuted because the state commits to social media fury before the full and complete investigation,” said Miami lawyer Robert Buschel.
“Many jurors understand after all the evidence is presented, being a police officer is a tough job.”
“Many jurors understand after all the evidence is presented, being a police officer is a tough job.”
Over the past couple of years, Miami-Dade prosecutors have become more aggressive in going after cops accused of battering suspects.
With the rise of social media and camera phones, questionable police tactics have been put under the spotlight.
With the rise of social media and camera phones, questionable police tactics have been put under the spotlight.
But even in the rare civil trial — in which cops don’t face potential jail time — jurors are loath to rule against police officers. hrld.us/2SrXyUk
