Journalists from the Bay Space Information Group and the California Reporting Challenge reviewed a collection of circumstances involving violent confrontations between San Jose police and mentally impaired people. A lot of these circumstances increase questions concerning the conduct of the division’s officers, who’ve been skilled to keep away from the usage of power in such conditions. Learn our full report.
Case Examine #1: Arthur Lee Turner
THE SCENE: A homeless encampment close to the Guadalupe River, on September 16, 2019. A call by two San Jose officers to corral residents for “trespassing” led to the beating, pepper spraying and Tasing of an unhoused man who did not comply with the officers’ instructions however didn’t seem to threaten them. A policing skilled who reviewed the data known as the officers’ actions “the fallacious method.”
Officers Steven Aponte and Alex Cristancho had little doubt of Arthur Lee Turner’s psychological state: Turner proclaimed himself to be God and informed them “to not mess with God.” Their coaching urged a give attention to “energetic listening” when participating a topic who gave the impression to be mentally impaired.
When Turner walked away reasonably than heeding a command to cease, the officers swiftly determined to make use of what they later known as ‘ache compliance.’ “Watch this guys, this man’s about to get batoned,” one officer introduced to the encampment residents, in keeping with the physique digicam video.
Turner’s defiance turned to pleading by the tip of the encounter. “What are you doing this for?” He requested. And later: “Please take your knee off me so I can breathe.” He was arrested for resisting arrest, assaulting an officer, and offering a false identification.
Video excerpt from the officers’ physique cameras
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: One of many officers publicizes to the opposite encampment residents, “Watch this guys, this man’s about to get batoned.” Though Turner doesn’t seem to threaten them, in addition they tase and pepper spray him.
