After weeks of requests, the Seattle Police Department released video of a rough October 6 arrest in the parking lot of the Midtown Centre at 23rd and Union.
As CDN reported previously, the arrest left Leo Etherly with a bloodied face and shook the neighbors and workers who witnessed the incident. Dashboard video of the incident clearly shows the arrest, including a strike from Officer Eric Faust to Etherly’s face that sent Etherly to the hospital.
Etherly was arrested on investigation of hit-and-run and assaulting a police officer, though both charges were quickly dropped. CLARIFICATION: The charges were referred to King County, which denied to pursue them. There is still a chance he could be charged in Seattle Municipal Court, says SPD.
The video was not released until Etherly’s attorney James Egan filed a lawsuit alleging that the Department was illegally withholding the video.
SPD launched an investigation into “a particular force tactic” used by Officer Faust.
Shortly after the incident, CDNews spoke with several people who work or live in the area and saw what happened. They voiced concern that the force was not called for, and that the incident reinforces feelings of injustice between people of color in the neighborhood and the police department.
Officer Faust was commended with a Medal of Valor in 2009 for stopping an unmanned car rolling down Jackson St after an officer-involved shooting at 20th and Jackson. Coincidentally, Officer Chin, who was also involved in Etherly’s arrest, was accused of using excessive force in the 2009 incident.
UPDATE: SPD has posted video from their media briefing about the video, which includes a narrated version of the video:
It will never happen, but the officer with the flat top should be tested for steroid abuse.
Geee, I wonder why SPD was trying to suppress this video.
Obnoxious phony tough guy doesn’t get his way and whines about being victimized and slimeball lawyer looks to make some money by making it “racial.”
Ya, two armed and armored officers holding an unarmed man’s hands down while a third armed and armored officer strikes in the face and head in violation of standard police training — real slimeballs.
Seattle is going to go broke when from being sued in civil court for rampaging officers like Officer Faust.
The community policing training can’t start fast enough!
I’ve never been hit by a police officer. I wonder why…
We need to train the officers to serve tea and crumpets instead of whoopass when criminals spit in their face. Good on yah Seattle! Oh and I support the SPD.
This video is further proof on why we need to eliminate patrolling police forces. They cause more trouble than they protect us from. What was the point in them even engaging this man? Because he was standing with other black men in a park? There was absolutely no reason for this officer to punch him in the face and he should be charged criminally with assault and fired. Seriously, will our police department never get it?
@Seriously: Don’t let facts get in the way of your agenda. The guy was stopped and identified as the driver who had fled a hit and run.
The suspect also resisted arrest and spit in the officer’s face.
Just Curious Seriously, since you seem expert, what would be your reaction to this outstanding citizen that had just hit and ran over another human, and thanked you for trying to hold him to his actions by spitting in your face. Would you thank him for the spittle? Not react? There are limits to what we hold our officials up to when dealing with the scourge of humanity. Personally I hold my limit to spit in my face. All bets are off.
Actually, he was suspected as being the driver, but was not charged… I wonder why?
Was that before or after the officer wrapped his hands around his throat? And then he said he was just “getting [his] head away from me” – like his head poses a major threat. “I was controlling your chin” WTF IS THAT? “When my hands touched your throat I immediately let go.” Why would you reach out like you’re trying to strangle somebody to begin with? That’s some homicidal maniac shit.
I was also unaware that if somebody spits in my direction that I can then punch them in the face.
I understand needing to use force when criminals are resisting, but you could see the anger in this officer. You can tell he knew he fucked up by how he started talking after the guy was in cuffs. Trying to act all friendly.
Still not a reason to be a complete Ahole and expect no response.
I read the comments concerning this article and I cannot, for the life of me, figure out how spitting at someone justifies the sort of brutality demonstrated by this officer — most especially, when the individual being restrained was obviously outnumbered by SPD officers. Violence begets violence. Police officers are supposed to be ABOVE this sort of behavior (or so their training would demand). Sorry but most especially in light of what has already transpired with the excessive force complaints lodged against the SPD, this officer ought to have known better than allow himself to be baited by anyone he was arresting, particularly when he had fellow officers who could assist him in arresting one person. Yet another in a series of bad shows.
Spent way too much time watching the video. I feel a sympathy for the cops ’cause there are some evil thugs in the city and they’re in the mix with them all of the time- they need to be tough. And there could be some context I don’t know to this scene that would mitigate what that cop did, but that what was way out of control by the cop(s). Perhaps there’s a reason that the Feds are squeezing SPD’s balls.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T Get lippy with a grown man who carries a baton, a gun and a badge of authority, and you get exactly what you deserve and and asked for.
Me thinks.
Right by might? That certainly does not garner my respect.
It looks to me that the punch was not necessary…the 3 officers could have gotten the cuffs on without that.
However, there is a very simple way to prevent these kind of incidents from ever occurring: obey the officers’ orders and don’t resist arrest, whether or not you think you are innocent.
Anyone else see the news item regarding the NYC policeman who bought shoes for a homeless man? Now THERE’S one decent, cool cop.
No hot rock and scalp massage!?! They should throw the book at that cop.