Incident could be mandatory viewing for Baltimore Police
By A.F. James MacArthur Ph.A.L.
Agitator-In-Chief
A man led police on 60-mile-long, high speed car chase Friday night in the Los Angeles area. The incident
was streamed live, via news helicopter, as the pursuit spanned several cities and at least two counties.
Reaching speeds at times near 100 miles per hour, with a cavalcade of police cars in tow, the suspect maneuvered his car across crowded highways and city streets without collision or impact involving other vehicles.
What was most striking for this writer, along with readers of The Baltimore Spectator, observing the chase from thousands of miles away, was the rather peaceful and uneventful ending.
After turning onto a cul-de-sac, the vehicle was quickly surrounded by police who exited their cars with
weapons drawn. Following orders, the man placed his hand in plain sight, calmly exited the vehicle, and laid prone on the ground.
Officers from the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department could be seen cautiously approaching the suspect, and placing handcuffs on him, subduing him without incident. Of particular note, was the complete absence of excessive physical force.
No manhandling or shaking up, not even a slap! Just police apprehending a suspect in textbook fashion.
@BaltoSpectator @NBCLA not what u see in our home town of Charm city very in control and wasn't overly aggressive
— Juan Feliciano (@ElNino410) August 10, 2013
With proper training, even high stress, volatile situations don't necessarily have to end in disaster or tragedy. @ElNino410 @NBCLAThe incident bore stark contrast compared to recent high profile incidents Baltimore.
— Baltimore Spectator (@BaltoSpectator) August 10, 2013
Several weeks after Tyrone West died in police custody, an official cause of death has not been provided by the Office Of The Chief Medical Examiner. Baltimore Police have still not yet revealed the initial reason, or probable cause, for what is being called a traffic stop, done by a unmarked police car, occupied by plain clothes officers, for an unspecified violation.
Witnesses say Baltimore Police kicked, beat and stomped West to death.
A short while after that incident, a teenager in a stolen car led Baltimore Police on a high speed pursuit ending in a spectacular crash, all caught on camera.
With a news helicopter hovering overhead, a policeman is visible, entering the scene after the teen suspect was already on the ground and under control. The officer appears to rough handle the boy and smack him around a bit, in what seems to be completely unnecessary and excessive. The officer has since been placed on suspension while the incident is investigated by internal affairs.
The suspension was a direct result of Baltimore Police commanders viewing the news helicopter footage.