Police Chief Steven Anderson says three officers remain on paid administrative leave and the department is investigating.
Advertisement
The first officer on scene is an eight-year veteran, the officer who used the TASER is a 12-year and the officer who used the baton has been with the department for two years. “Based on what I’ve seen in the video – and this is basically from the officer’s perspective and from what the students were doing, the individual did not have to exit the apartment at that time”, Anderson said, adding that he didn’t believe officers were legally justified in entering the apartment.
Video shows the student who lived there, who was later hit with the stun gun and flashlight, refusing to speak with the officer.
Matthew Macia and Brandon Williford were arrested on charges of obstructing governmental operations and resisting arrest.
“What did I resist?” he said, also asking why he was being charged with harassment.
Appell expects the officers will argue they gave a lawful order to the young man and was not obeyed but Appell points out this was a simple noise complaint, not a drug deal the officers were responding to at the time. Giddis was charged with obstructing governmental affairs and harassment.
“You’re under arrest for harassment for touching my arm”, said the officer.
Anderson said the department is trying to be transparent by releasing the video.
Three university officers were present during the arrests.
Anderson also said that they are taking the investigation as an opportunity to retrain TPD officers. In an email to students, Vice President for Student Affairs David Grady denounced the confrontation.
Maclain Edwards, a student at the University of Alabama, knew one of the students involved in the confrontation. “It was hard to see my peers treated in such a violent way over something as common as a noise complaint”.
“For me personally, when we have a situation like this, I take it personally”. Many students have expressed concerns that bringing guns onto campus will only lead to more violence.
Advertisement
“Needless to say once I started receiving the videos and watching what occurred, I was deeply disturbed by it and disappointed in the way our officers responded”, he said.
