Teenager Claims injury After police Incident in San Bernardino
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A 17-year-old girl, identified as Erin, alleges excessive force was used during her arrest, leading to physical injuries and emotional distress.
A 17-year-old,known as Erin,has stated she experienced widespread pain following an encounter with a San bernardino police officer.The incident, captured on video, has sparked considerable online discussion.
Erin publicly displayed injuries to her face and chin at a press conference on Sunday, asserting, “I’m just in a lot of pain… My head, my whole body. I’m not the same person I was.” The press conference was covered by ABC-7.
The widely circulated video depicts three officers surrounding Erin while another attempts to handcuff her, ultimately throwing her to the ground. The person recording the incident can be heard expressing concern and approaches Erin, who is seen lying on the ground with visible injuries.Officers then reportedly used batons to create distance.
Tanya Brownridge, Erin’s mother, expressed dissatisfaction with the data received from the San Bernardino Police Department regarding the circumstances of the arrest. “They gave us three different stories,” Brownridge stated at the press conference. “One to me, one to my mom, one to my sister. I just want justice. That’s it.”
According to an official statement released on the San Bernardino Police Department’s Facebook page, Erin was apprehended on Wednesday afternoon in the 500 block of west 2nd Street. The statement indicates that the teenager was detained on suspicion of trespassing and “attempting to fight others.”
The department’s statement further alleges that the officer involved initiated a “take down maneuver” after Erin resisted being handcuffed. Erin received medical treatment at a local hospital for a cut chin and abrasions to her face.The police department maintains that use-of-force decisions are “based on behavior, not on age, gender or race.”
Supervisors are currently reviewing the incident to determine whether the officer’s actions adhered to department policies and were “necessary, reasonable and within policy.”
the San Bernardino Police Department has initiated an internal review of the arrest, promising a thorough examination of the events leading up to and during the incident.
“I’m just in a lot of pain… My head, my whole body. I’m not the same person I was.”
Understanding Police Use of Force
Frequently Asked Questions
- What constitutes excessive force by a police officer?
- Excessive force is the application of force beyond what is necessary in a given situation. It’s evaluated based on the totality of circumstances, including the severity of the crime, the threat posed by the suspect, and whether the suspect is resisting arrest.
- What rights do individuals have during an arrest?
- Individuals have the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney, and the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. They also have the right to due process under the law.
- How can citizens file a complaint against a police officer?
- Citizens can typically file complaints with the police department’s internal affairs division or with an independent oversight agency, if one exists. The complaint shoudl include specific details about the incident, including the date, time, location, and names of the officers involved.
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