An investigation has been launched in Texas after the emergence of video that shows police officers violently arresting a school teacher, slamming her repeatedly to the ground and then telling her that black people have “violent tendencies”. “But too many people in society look at things through the prism of their own circumstances and they can, want to deny that racism, prejudice, bias exists”, Acevedo said. “That’s why a lot of the white people are afraid”. “I want them to ask themselves: Am I approaching a 15 mile-per-hour speeding ticket like that?” Police Chief Art Acevedo tells KVUE the department is conducting a full review on Richter’s use of force and Spradlin’s comments, which Acevedo said he found offensive. “But for some reason, for some odd reason, when people look like me, we’re more of a threat, and that means we get treated and thrown around as if we don’t matter”.
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Both Spradlin and Richter have been relieved of law enforcement duties.
The two Texas police officers are now being investigated because of the violent assault.
Although King was charged with resisting arrest, the Travis County attorney dismissed the charges after seeing the video.
In his report regarding the incident, Richter said that he acted quickly, because King was projecting “uncooperative behavior”.
King told KVUE-TV on Thursday that she was “genuinely fearful” for her life during the incident and that she “literally didn’t understand what was happening”. I would rather stay home.
The incident happened in June 2015, but wasn’t made public until the Austin American-Statesman published the video yesterday.
The Austin police chief says he was not aware of the video of the conversation until July 19.
Breaion King was stopped June 15, 2015 by Officer Bryan Richter for speeding along East Riverside Drive. He then pulls out and pursues her, activating his siren. Her attorney did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
As Richter pulls her from the vehicle, her tiny 112-pound body flew through the air and hit the neighboring auto.
“I was embarrassed and I was ashamed and I did not know what I needed to do”, King said.
Moments later, he ducked into her vehicle and grabbed at King, who wailed in protest.
“Yes, ma’am”, he says. “I’m not joking. Can I see your driver’s license?” She had parked in a restaurant’s parking lot and was walking toward that restaurant when Officer Richter asked her to return to the driver’s seat of her vehicle. “‘Cause you didn’t pull me over because I’m parked”. The meeting, which both Acevedo and local activists said was productive, helped define approaches to ensure such incidents don’t go unnoticed in the future.
“I’m about to tase you”, Richter says.
“Could you please hurry up?”
“I’ve become afraid of the people who are supposed to protect me and take care of me”, King said.
“No, why are you grabbing me?” she shouts. “Put your feet back in the vehicle so I can close the door”, said Officer Bryan Richter during the 2015 arrest. So for me, will I get better? “Do not touch me”. I’m not saying it’s true. “Why are you doing this to me?”
“Put your hands behind your back!” the officer repeatedly yelled while he was on top of her.
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“Oh my god, are you serious?” King moans. “Oh my God”. I’m not saying I can prove it or nothing. When that doesn’t work, he puts his arm around her neck. When she tries to stand, Richter slams her to the ground.
