Austin police review allegation of police brutality on Sixth Street
By Chris Sadeghi
AUSTIN (KXAN) — A YouTube video
showing Austin police officers detaining a man downtown has prompted two
different reviews for two different officers regarding two different policies.
The video description said the
incident took place around 2 a.m. Sunday on Sixth Street. The photographer
appears to be walking behind four mounted patrol officers when an officer on
foot is seen throwing a man to the ground.
Prior to things getting
physical, it appears one of the mounted patrol officers gestures to try and get
the man to back away from the horse. Immediately afterward, it looks like the
man walks behind the horse moments before the officer grabs and tosses him.
That officer initially points for the man to leave the area, but places him in
handcuffs with the help of other officers moments later.
APD said they will review the
incident with the officer’s Chain of Command to determine if the “response to
resistance” was appropriate and within policy.
However, the photographer is
heard saying the name and badge number for the officer involved in the physical
altercation. A few moments later he asks another responding officer for their
name and badge number. The officer responds, “Get a life, dude. Get a life.”
APD policy states officers will
provide name and employee number whenever it is requested and that part of the
incident will also be reviewed.