Bodycam shows Auburn man knocked unconscious for 42 seconds during arrest by Auburn police
By: -----
It’s been nearly two and a half weeks since police in Auburn took a man to the ground, where he was knocked unconscious for 42 seconds.
On Saturday, September 7 just after 2 a.m. after receiving calls for help about kids, breaking intocars.
Officers had found a young suspect they believed was part of a group trying to get into a car on Cady Street.
Body cam video that CNY Central received on September 24 showed police talking to one of the teens, a neighbor comes on the scene and wonders if the youngster is a suspect in the recent trouble in the neighborhood.
The man can be heard threatening the teen, and the police chief said officers put their hands up to prevent the man from moving towards the teenager.
The man swatted the officers’ hands out of the way.
Police said the man ignored all their commands and was taken to the ground and was unconscious.
The Auburn Police Chief said officers immediately knew something was wrong.
The officers called for medical attention but because of miscommunication, it was delayed - with the medics first told to respond to Auburn Police headquarters, not Cady Street.
After 42 seconds, the man regained consciousness and was taken to a patrol car awaiting medical care.
The interaction was seen by neighbors, who called it excessive force.
“To dispel the false rumors circulating in the community, we feel it is imperative that we get the facts out as soon as reasonable. The reason is not to “flip the script” on the defendant, but rather to keep peace in the community. We believe in transparency and the community having the facts regarding this incident. Through honesty and factual reporting of events, we want to continue to ensure the safety of the public and the officers on the street,” said Police Chief James Slayton in a press release he sent.
CNY Central spoke to Auburn Mayor Jimmy Giannettinoabout the incident.
We understand members of the public are upset, and it's something the collectively city government, the police department, and members of the public are collectively trying to work through.
Mayor Giannettino said following the incident, they held meetings with the public.
During a meeting on September 12, the community was quick to assert themselves.
“They have a right to be heard, and we will listen to them,” the mayor said.
The person arrested is a black man.
The mayor said that he and members of the police have met with the NAACP and had an honest and necessary conversation.
He sees the tension between law enforcement and the community, but is confident they will find a way forward.
We have to be willing to hear the hard things and these are hard conversations to have, and we have to be able to listen to those things and try to understand where everybody is coming from.
The man arrested in the video was charged with harassment in the 2nd degree, obstruction of governmental administration in the 2nd, and resisting arrest.