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Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Ind. Courts - More on: "The public can now be the judge of whether a former South Bend Police officer used excessive force while arresting a man after a high speed chase"

Updating this ILB entry from yesterday, in South Bend different viewers are having different (ILB - Rashomon-like?) reactions to "city released dash cam video of a February 2009 traffic stop during which South Bend Police Cpl. Jason King was accused of using excessive force" and reprimanded by the police chief. A grand jury later decided not to indict King on any criminal charges. Kelli Stopczynski of WSBT South Bend reports today in a story complete with the video:

We’ve had a huge outpouring of e-mails and comments on our website about the dash cam video that shows two police officers hitting a suspect during a February traffic stop. Some people are going so far as to say they think it’s police brutality. Others, however, can see King’s side of the story and they think he was justified. * * *

Some of them now question their own safety with police.

When asked about his response to negative comments about King or the South Bend force in general, [Fraternal Order of Police president Lt. Scott Ruszkowski] said they’re not bad cops.

“[I’m] not saying what he did was right or wrong. Obviously a grand jury said he didn't do anything wrong. However, we all make mistakes. There's not an endeavor in life that nobody makes mistakes in, police work included,” said Ruszkowski.

That said, Ruszkowski says dash cam video doesn't always tell the whole story. Both he and another South Bend police officer told WSBT they think the department will see more police brutality complaints as a result of this video being released.

WSBT also contacted Katlun’s attorney. He said he and his client are prepared to move forward with a civil suit against the officers involved in the call. They contacted the city in July, and the city has 90 days to respond before they can move forward with the suit.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on September 23, 2009 02:45 PM
Posted to Indiana Courts