Exclusive: Dash Camera Video Shows Police Officer Assault - WHNT

Is it common for an officer to stand so close to a vehicle that his clothes or pistol could get caught on it? He is lucky that the firearm did not discharge.

i hope they get them

This is ridiculous! Charge the driver with running from the police but assault really?! Maybe the cop shouldn't stand so close to the car it didn't seem intentional. And why charge the passenger what was he supposed to do jump out of a moving car and save the officer and potentionally hurt himself. I wouldn't do it and neither would any reasonable person.

nikki wrote:

This is ridiculous! Charge the driver with running from the police but assault really?! Maybe the cop shouldn't stand so close to the car it didn't seem intentional. And why charge the passenger what was he supposed to do jump out of a moving car and save the officer and potentionally hurt himself. I wouldn't do it and neither would any reasonable person.

You need to read the law Nikki. He was injured therefore Felony Assault applies.

Common Nikki, read the law. The officer was injuried because of THEY'RE actions, therefore the charge fits. What do you mean it didn't seem intentional, were you watching the same video as me?

I have been in Law Enforcement for 33 years, and understand how quickly things can go bad. Thank God that the officer survived this situation.
This would be a very good training video for police academy rookies, as well for vetern officers.

Somerville, AL.

wah wah, bunch of u know what.

how do you think people feel when cops beat the crap out of them and slam their faces in pavement and so on and so forth. yeah they have videos of that too.

Come on. The officer was obviously trying to hold on to the vechile. He should know better than to put himself in harms way. Also, as you can see the officer jumped right back up so was not too banged up. I'm not saying eluding the police is right but trying to hold on to the car is crazy. I also agree with Nikki no they should not charge the passenger. And one more thing it seems like the officer was harrasing the men. He had no probable cause to come to vechile.

The driver should be charged. The passenger should be charged with what ever dope he had on him.
I was pulled over for a traffic violation. Alone and obviously a woman, holding my license out the window as the officer approached. The officer stood well behind my window and away from my vehicle, forcing me to look back at him. I think this is and should be the norm for all law enforcement officers. SAFETY FIRST.

I feel sorry for the officer and glad he is alright. but yet and still as he was trained you have to be worried about safety first and i do feel it was a bad judgment on his behalf any thing could have happened no one wants to go to jail so of course they ran not trying to hurt him just trying to save themselves. But why does the passenger get in trouble for seating in the passenger seat that"s crazy i understand he did not help the officer but would have u? When you about to go to jail and the person driving is your family or friend. But the law is the law and we have to obey.

Pam Of Madison wrote:

The driver should be charged. The passenger should be charged with what ever dope he had on him.
I was pulled over for a traffic violation. Alone and obviously a woman, holding my license out the window as the officer approached. The officer stood well behind my window and away from my vehicle, forcing me to look back at him. I think this is and should be the norm for all law enforcement officers. SAFETY FIRST.

How do you know it was dope just as he assumed someone had a warrant you assume b/c they ran and he says he smelled dope (as you call it) thats what it was.

WOW! I shouldn't be surprised how truly selfish people really are. "He should now better than to put himself in harms way". Realistic of H'ville should really think before speaking. Every law enforcement officer in this country is putting himself/herself in harms way every day and night to protect people like you. And how dare that officer "harass" those fine upstanding citizens for smoking marijuana. It's really sad how most people on this page are blaming the officer instead of the two dead beats in the car. It's a shame what this country is becoming.

The officer claimed to have smelled marijuana. That was his reason for asking if he could search the vehicle. They ran so something illegal must have been inside the vehicle. My reference to dope should have read, if that was his wrong doing, then that is what he should be charged with. Not guilty of assault.

he should have just pulled out his gun and shot the druggies and made the world a better place

I'm sure the officer would have charged them with a marijuana charge if they would have stuck around. Instead THEY made the CONSCIOUS DECISION to run and put not only the officers life in danger but the residents of the apartment complex. Also, if an officer smells marijuana they don't have to ask permission to search, that's called probable cause. That officer acted extremely professional in his actions. The other officer, off camera, also had every right to put a well placed round in the back of the driver's head, but he kept his cool. Good Job FPD!

Realistic wrote:

Come on. The officer was obviously trying to hold on to the vechile. He should know better than to put himself in harms way. Also, as you can see the officer jumped right back up so was not too banged up. I'm not saying eluding the police is right but trying to hold on to the car is crazy. I also agree with Nikki no they should not charge the passenger. And one more thing it seems like the officer was harrasing the men. He had no probable cause to come to vechile.

No the officer wasn't "obviously holding on to the vehicle." Didn't you read where his equipment got caught on the vehicle. Oh yeah, these individuals were known criminals. Sounds like the officer was trying to protect us by putting these individuals in jail.

nick p wrote:

WOW! I shouldn't be surprised how truly selfish people really are. "He should now better than to put himself in harms way". Realistic of H'ville should really think before speaking. Every law enforcement officer in this country is putting himself/herself in harms way every day and night to protect people like you. And how dare that officer "harass" those fine upstanding citizens for smoking marijuana. It's really sad how most people on this page are blaming the officer instead of the two dead beats in the car. It's a shame what this country is becoming.

I like how everyones always saying "they put there lives on the line everyday." Indeed they do, but if I'm not mistaken they made the choice for this career. I do think that police have a crappy job dealing with these thugs on a day by day basis, but on the other hand I dont feel the need to go around feeling bad for them and saying "poor police, they put there life on the line everyday." Their choice. If they don't like it, get another job.

Luke used to be my youth director when I was younger. He is a good guy and looks out for the safety of others. God was definitely with him at that moment, no doubt about it. Luke would agree. I just hope the ignorant gentlemen, who thought they would try and get away, receive the punishment they deserve.

"Do you have a problem if I take a look?" does not sond like asking permission to me. It is duress. No warrants no probable cause for the approach other thatn a "hunch" that the passenger had a warrant....stop this police state and take back your rights!
"Why don't I get you to go ahead and turn your car off for me,", note, he never commanded that he did so, he phrased everything so as not to have to accept responsibility why don't I leave then since i'm not under arrest