No Charges Against Officers In Violent Roxbury Arrest
BOSTON (CBS) - The District Attorney's office has announced that officers involved in a controversial October 2010 arrest at Roxbury Community College will not face criminal charges.
The incident was caught on tape. The video showed police officers violently arresting a 16-year-old who was wanted on a warrant.
On Friday, investigators said they found the level of force that police used was appropriate.
WBZ-TV's Jim Smith reports
Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis said at a news conference that officer Michael McManus, seen in the video punching that teen is back on regular duty and will not face discipline.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports
Podcast
Davis acknowledged the public's concerns over the incident, calling the community's trust "important," but noting that sometimes enforcement is unavoidable. "We can do better and we will," Davis said.
However, Davis officers did use restraint. He elaborated by noting the suspect violently resisted arrest, injuring three officers; and in that situation, the officers could have used batons to subdue him.
At the time of the incident, Police Union spokesperson Tommy Nee defended his officers saying, "I realize it's not pleasant to see, but the officers used the training that they'd been taught. When a suspect won't cooperate blows to the soft part of the thigh is an accepted submission tactic."
