15 Cops severely beat 3 black men in PA (video & story)
PHILADELPHIA (CBS News) ― More than a dozen police officers will be taken off the street as authorities investigate a video showing three suspects being kicked, punched and beaten after they were pulled out of a car during a traffic stop, the mayor's office said.
"At a glance it does appear to be a bit beyond the pale," said Doug Oliver, a spokesman for Mayor Michael Nutter. "Officers are not allowed to operate outside of the law."
The police involved in the beating are being put on desk duty during the department's investigation, reports CBS News reporter Tara Mergener.
The police department believes about 15 officers were involved in Monday night's arrests in the city's Hunting Park section, where police had been investigating a triple shooting, Oliver said. Some have already been taken off the street, while others still need to be identified, he said.
The three suspects were charged with criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault, simple assault and reckless endangerment, according to court officials.
The video, shot by a WTXF-TV helicopter, shows three police cars stopping a car on the side of a road. About a dozen officers gather around the vehicle and pull three men out. About a half-dozen officers hold two of the men on the ground on the driver's side. Both are kicked repeatedly, while one is seen being punched; one also appears to be struck with a baton.
On the other side of the car, another group of officers can be seen kicking a third man who ends up on the ground.
Oliver said that, while the use of force appeared excessive, the public should withhold judgment until all the facts are known.
"We are not going to prejudge the situation based on the video," he said. "We all saw the video, but none of us was there."
Oliver initially said 15 officers had been taken off the street Wednesday. He later said about 15 officers were at the scene, but that the exact number identified and already off the street was unclear.
"One way or the other, everyone associated with this will be taken off the street," Oliver said. "The officers involved in this incident will be reassigned."
A message left with Lt. Frank Vanore, a police spokesman, was not immediately returned Wednesday morning.
The beating happened two days after the fatal shooting of a Philadelphia policeman, the third city officer slain on duty in two years.
At this point, I'm convinced cops are no more than Klansmen with badges, regardless of color. I'm not gonna say anything else cuz the story's still a little vague, but yeah. :-/
At this point, I'm convinced cops are no more than Klansmen with badges, regardless of color. I'm not gonna say anything else cuz the story's still a little vague, but yeah. :-/
It's not just black people, they hate everyone and they're awful and think they're above the law when it comes to anything. Police are honestly the most disgusting people in the world and I don't care what anyone thinks when I say that. They have a gang mentality when they get together and they ALL get on power trips, and none of them speak up and say what they're doing is wrong, because they'd rather join in and follow the crowd. It's like Lord of the Flies or something.
Regardless of what happened in this story. That's how it's supposed to be. I don't know what would happen if nobody's afraid of policemen.
I didn't make my point well it seems. People must be affraid of police, yes. But not in the way that you are affraid that POLICE WILL HURT YOU. Am I clearer now, yes?
I didn't make my point well it seems. People must be affraid of police, yes. But not in the way that you are affraid that POLICE WILL HURT YOU. Am I clearer now, yes?
I actually totally agree with this. You shouldn't have to be afraid that police will use force on you unless you do the same. It's really sad that this country is full of these vigilante police that think they can do whatever the **** they want to get an arrest. I have experienced it first hand, that's why I am so angry about it. In my case it wasn't violence, but irrational, unprofessional, threatening behavior in a situation where I was innocent and they were treating me like a murderer.
I hope you find one of these policemen to beat your fugly ass.