The debate over alleged police brutality by the Jacksonville Police Department came to a head tonight.
Jacksonville Police Chief Tony Grootens addressed resident Dennis Lancaster, and his girlfriend Amanda Six, after they talked to City Council members about four separate incidents of alleged excessive force by the JPD.
Lancaster claimed police used unnecessary force in his 2009 arrest that caused facial injuries and a broken arm. Lancaster was later found guilty of aggravated battery for resisting arrest during the incident. A civil case stemming from the incident is pending.
Six says they’re not against police but they are against police brutality.
“There are plenty of cops that do help and they do their jobs correctly," says Six. "However, there are a few that are causing these injuries and there's a problem with it."
Grootens says there is no problem with police brutality in Jacksonville. He says there have been only four incidents where a person arrested has been sent to the hospital after an arrest out of the 3,000 made the last three years.
Grootens points to the fact each incident involved four different officers. Two officers were cleared of wrongdoing after investigations by the FBI.
Grootens says it’s tough not to take the allegations against the police department personally.
“I've said all along it wasn't personal with me," says Grootens. "But when they try to diminish the capability of the police department by saying they're, in essence, inept which isn't the case at all. They're highly educated, well trained and very good police officers. I think Council see that. In fact, I know Council sees that and the majority of the public sees that. That facts are the facts and the speak for themselves."
The three other arrests made that led to hospitalization stem from the Tasing of Bamako Walton in August 2010 when he tried to outrun police. Last July, Raymond Wilson suffered a broken leg after resisting arrest. Most recently, Robert Black suffered a broken neck and severe injuries to his ear when he allegedly resisted arrest.
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