Most of the time, the videos of misconduct that go viral, that grab our attention and produce outrage, show brutal and horrific conduct. While these images are undeniably moving, they are also outliers, as most police officers don’t beat prisoners to a pulp, or body slam innocent people into paralysis. Few cops, or judges, see these as anything more than “one bad apple” examples, and shrug them off.
For this reason, a video out of Houston of former United States Air Force MP turned Houston cop, Angela Horton, is unlikely to get your blood boiling, but is far closer to normal, everyday misconduct than the one that makes the 6 o’clock news. Via Grits for Breakfast :
What’s striking about this strike isn’t that it’s so harmful or shocking, but so banal. Angela Horton just walks up to the cuffed perp and throws a punch to his head. The two officers holding the suspect don’t react at all. It’s just another day at the office.
To their credit, HPD relieved Horton of duty and commenced an investigation. Of course, had their been no video of the punch, chances of anything having come from the suspect’s allegation that an officer walked up to him and punched him are slim to none. And Horton’s explanation?
Angela Horton, 36, wants the public to remember that police officers have to make split-second decisions in ever-changing and dangerous situations, according to a statement from Houston attorney Tommy LaFon.
“Officer Horton admits that for a few brief seconds yesterday, she let her emotions get the best of her and may have acted in a way that is contrary to her training,” the statement said.
No doubt that’s correct, just as it’s correct about 90% of the times when any person punches another and is arrested and prosecuted for the assault. Of course, being overly emotional is hardly a defense. What this has to do with split-second decision-making in ever-changing and dangerous situations is a mystery.
LaFon said Horton is disappointed that her actions have “overshadowed the fact that a serious crime was committed.”
It’s unfortunate that Horton isn’t disappointed in the fact that she, by her violent conduct, needlessly engaged in violence against another, disgraced her uniform and harmed another person. But then, outsiders see this as a vicious attack. To Horton, who saunters up to the suspect as if she doesn’t have a care in the world, it’s just a punch. After all, the suspect probably made her run, or break a sweat, and her shoes might have pinched her toes, and doesn’t that deserve a punch?
The fact that this is so utterly mundane is what makes this video so striking. When a suspect dies, or is seriously harmed, in custody, investigations inevitably ensue. It doesn’t mean that cops are held accountable, or that excuses for their conduct don’t abound. Internal investigations are announced at the time the media puts the incident in the headlines, only to fade into obscurity as public interest moves on to the next incident ten minutes later.
Check back and we find that the worst that comes of such investigations is a very stern warning never to do it again, if not the ubiquitous “within departmental guidelines.” Had the news cameras not caught this punch, it would never have happened. Any bruise would be chalked up to the perp’s attempt to escape and the brave officers’ efforts to capture the fleeing felon. These things happen, you know.
And so we have another day at work at the Houston Police Department. And even with the cameras rolling, it’s just one overly emotional woman. Can’t we remember who the bad guy is here?
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The city council calls for her to “at least be disciplined?”
Should cashiers who steal from the register “at least be disciplined?” No, they should be fired, because they cannot be trusted to handle cash again.
I give no credit to the HPD for suspending her with pay. That is not action, it’s a reward. The video, combined with her irrelevant statements, show more than enough to justify an unpaid suspension during the so-called investigation.
Give them a little credit. They could have just made up some absurd lie (like he spit at her) and covered it up.
Given that she apparently enjoys the ability to abuse her badge, perhaps suspension with pay is actually a bit of a punishment.
“No blank check to punch people for a month. Bad cop!”
Sir, could’ve swore it was a dude at first until the funky punch was lobbed.
It looked like she was going to punch the ‘cop’ when she walked up and pointed at his face before slightly recoiling which gave the runner time to turn his head. Wonder what she said? It also seems like he tried to say, “Helicopter..” which could explain why they all the sudden acted like it never happened. All three should’ve been wrote up. Thanks.