Once again we can see a cell phone video showing America what happens when thugs disguising themselves as law enforcement officials unleash their fury on a fellow citizen."The video, which was shot in a shaky minute-and-a-half, does not show what caused several officers to repeatedly strike the man, Jose Velasco, 28, with batons while he writhed on the pavement in the middle of the street.
Just a few feet away, several lanes of stopped traffic watched the scene unfold; the video appeared to be shot through the rolled-down window of one of those cars." [Watch here]
And of course there is the obligatory statement from the police department.
"In a press release, the Salinas Police Department said officers were called to North Main Street after Velasco was seen running through traffic and jumping on cars.
When officers arrived, Velasco was "slamming" his mother into the pavement, the release said; he "violently resisted" the officers, and attempted to grab a Taser from one of them.
Officers subsequently fired a Taser twice at Velasco, the release said, "neither having any effect on him."
Velasco's family told NBC affiliate KSBW that he is mentally ill.
Salinas Police Chief Kelly McMillin told KSBW that the video "absolutely" concerned him. "Anybody who looks at that video without context would have concerns, because it looks terrible," he said."
It seems that every day we wake up to another one of these incidents.
And why are we surprised?
Here is what the leader of the largest police department in the country had to say about hiring black cops:
"According to New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, the reason black males are underrepresented by the city’s police force is because so many would-be recruits have served jail time.
In an interview with The Guardian, Bratton addressed the gap by saying: “We have a significant population gap among African American males because so many of them have spent time in jail and, as such, we can’t hire them.”
Indeed, data updated by the New York Times earlier this year shows that the New York Police Department is 21 percentage points more white than its residents. Only 16% of the NYPD is black, while the city’s population is 23% black, suggesting a slight racial gap in the force. That being said, the NYPD is actually quite diverse compared to many other police departments, partially due to court-ordered mandates."
Yes, we acknowledge that a disproportionate amount of black men in New York City have probably come in contact with the criminal justice system in that city. ("Stop & Frisk" will do that to you.)
But the thing is this, the Commissioner should be focused on getting quality black recruits for his department and not making statements that should be reserved for a criminologist.
Finally, happy trails Officer Casebolt.
It took that disgusting video of you abusing and groping that 14 year old girl for you to resign, but we are glad you are gone.
From what I have been seeing and hearing since this incident; your resignation should have been forthcoming a long time ago.
But don't worry, I am sure that the folks at FOX VIEWS will find something for you to do and keep you paid.
They have been your biggest supporters. Their star anchor even implied that it was the 14 year old girl who was at fault for getting assaulted and sexually abused by you.
So get your last check, get a makeover, and head to New York. There is an anchor chair there with your name on it.
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