Burlington police release bodycam of use of force when the suspect was injured from a foot pursuit
By: On Tuesday, May 21st, 2024 at approximately 1:34 a.m. an officer patrolling the parking lot at the Fletcher Free Library in the early hours of the morning observed a motor vehicle parked in idling occupied by four subjects.
The officer observed the four subjects hastily exited the vehicle and begin to walk away from the officer. The officer specifically called out for the operator to stop, the male subject ran from the officer.
The officer pursued the male, while instructing the male to stop and identifying himself as a Burlington Police Officer. The officer stated over his radio he was in a foot pursuit. After approximately 40 seconds, the officer caught up to the male as a BPD police cruiser had pulled up in the path of the male's flight.
The officer attempted to bring the male to the ground, but the size of the male prevented the lone officer from doing this the officer attempted to gain control of one of the male's arms, but the male pulled his arm to his chest, preventing the officer from gaining control of his arm.
The male began to fight with the officer as the second officer who exited her Cruiser arrived, the Second Officer initially attempted to gain control of the male's right arm, but he pulled it away. The Second Officer then took hold of the male's legs, and the two officers were able to bring the male to the ground.
The Second Officer took hold of the male's right arm, and the male brought it up to his face. The Second Officer had to pull the male's right arm down and behind the male's back. The male fought back, trying to pull his arm forward.
A third officer arrived and began to assist the first officer in placing the male into handcuffs. A fourth officer arrived on scene and took control of the male's left arm. The Second Officer transitioned to the male's left leg and physically pinned to the ground.
The first officer applied oieorisen capsicum (OC) to his gloved hand and swiped onto the male's face to try to gain compliance. The third officer took hold of the male's right arm and applied a handcuff.
Another officer applied a separate handcuff, then the two set of handcuffs were daisy-chained together. The officers then tried to escort the arreste to the cruiser, but the arreste refused to walk.
Four officers had to physically carry the arreste to the cruiser and set him on the ground while seated on the ground. The arrestee attempted to pass the handcuffs under his body to move his hands in front.
The arestee was placed in a prone position and another officer took control of the arrestee's legs while the daisy-chained handcuffs were removed and one set of handcuffs were applied.
Officers learned the arrestee had an active warrant and was currently on parole, the first officer had injuries to his hand and ankles. The arrestee stated he had jaw, back and finger.