Thank goodness someone will be fighting for this young student repeatedly punched in the head by the police. More on this on Monday, but here’s the news.
They aren’t saying they are suing yet, but pursuing “all available legal remedies” which I assume means suing.
VIDEO
This is the video from the Madison 365 post
PRESS RELEASE FROM ATTORNEY’S REPRESENTING THE FAMILY
Here’s a link: Giesen Law Press Release – Sept 21 2019
RESPONSE TO THE MADISON POLICE DEPARTMENT’S PRESS RELEASE
REGARDING USE-OF-FORCE INCIDENT OF JUNE 3, 2019
The Madison Police Department announced today that it completed its internal investigation into a use-of-force incident that occurred on June 3rd, 2019, at a home in Madison during an interaction with a young student.
A full and careful review of the security camera video from the interior of the child’s home shows a frail young boy who the police knew had a history of mental health issues, walking through his home following police direction. The video then shows the boy unexpectedly being overpowered, immobilized and beaten in the head as he is held down by multiple officers.
The Madison Police Department’s conclusion in its September 20, 2019 press release is self-serving, but it does admit that the department’s training for such situations is
inadequate and recognizes that internal improvements must be made.
We agree wholeheartedly with the Mayor that police officers have to be held accountable, especially when working with the most vulnerable members of our community—such as young persons of color suffering from mental illness. We also agree with the Mayor that we all must expect higher performance standards—standards that would never allow an officer to believe the officers’ actions and beating that occurred on June 3rd were anywhere near acceptable or appropriate.
We vehemently disagree with the Madison Police Department that beating this young boy was “objectively reasonable” and will vigorously pursue all available legal remedies on his and his family’s behalf.
MPD PROPAGANDA MACHINE IN ACTION
MPD’s Internal Investigation Disposition – June 3, 2019 Incident
MAYOR’S STATEMENT
It is my fundamental belief that governmental entities, including the police, must hold ourselves accountable for the quality of our interactions with the public. When those interactions are with our most vulnerable community members – such as young people of color suffering from mental illness – that responsibility becomes a moral imperative.
The police investigation on the June 3, 2019 use of force incident is now complete. The MPD conducted an internal investigation, consistent with its department policies. In the interest of transparency and objectivity, they then had an outside, subject matter expert review the investigation and findings. This review found the officers’ conduct to be objectively reasonable – the constitutional standard for police use of force.
As I stated previously, we in the City of Madison aspire to higher performance standards than simply not violating the constitutional rights of those we serve. We aspire to performance excellence and holding ourselves accountable to continually striving for best-practice level performance.
I appreciate the Chief’s stated commitment to doing better – to improving future outcomes through improved training, and adherence to our best-practice policies related to de-escalation, use of force and the police response to those suffering from mental illness.
As a City, we are grateful for the policy recommendations we have already received from our community members and the Ad Hoc Committee on Police Policy and Procedure in these areas. I intend to move forward with due diligence to create civilian oversight mechanisms for objective oversight of the MPD’s on-going efforts for continuous improvement. In addition, my 2020 operating budget will fund increased mental health training for police officers, as recommended by the Ad Hoc Committee. It is my intention that these steps move us toward best practices and improved levels of interaction with all of our residents.
