Did Mckinney, Texas Cop Go Too Far?

2015-06-08T08:39:10-04:00

A pool party quickly turned chaotic Friday in Mckinney, Texas when police arrived to the scene and began to chase, handcuff, berate and unnecessarily body slam adolescent girls for not obeying their every command.
The video begins showing a group of young teens dispersing a pool area to the sound of one hyped-up Mckinney officer yelling “MOVE, MOVE” while sprinting down a sidewalk with a baton – only to trip and fall down as he made his way past the videographer.
After getting back to his feet, the Texas cop continued sprinting across the street where he began forcing witnesses to the ground, even handcuffing a few bystanders.
6-7-2015 10-53-39 AM

“Get your ass out of here!” the officer yelled and a group of girls pulling a cooler.
After detaining a few more teens, the cop decided to give them a piece of his mind, probably upset and embarrassed that they had seen him trip on his own two feet.

“Don’t make me fucking run around here with 30 pounds of god damned gear on in the sun. Cuz’ you want to screw around out here?”
The cop quickly moves on to a group of teens huddled near the scene and took offense to them for allegedly running their mouths and demanded that they leave right away which they begrudgingly complied. The cop then went further down the sidewalk to shout at another group of kids but this time grabbed a young girl in a bikini and drug her by the arm and eventually slammed her to the pavement.

Bystanders were immediately upset by the cop taking such a violent approach to a situation and started to move in and help the girl. At that point, the cop draws what appears to be his service pistol as the bright yellow taser can be seen still attached to his belt and chases away the crowd. Luckily two other officers arrive to the scene at that very moment which may have prevented a very bad situation.

http://photographyisnotacrime.com/2015/06/texas-cop-goes-on-violent-rampage-at-pool-party/

Texas Cop Caught on Video Going on Violent Rampage at Pool Party

A Texas cop was caught on video going on a violent rampage outside a pool party of teenagers.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2015 8:41 AM

2015-06-08T08:41:48-04:00

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2015 8:43 AM

2015-06-08T08:43:54-04:00

We don't know the whole story yet, but this looks pretty bad.
It is hard to imagine what would justify these actions.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2015 9:03 AM

2015-06-08T09:03:37-04:00

One rarely gets all the facts from media.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Jun 8 at 2015 9:16 AM

2015-06-08T09:16:21-04:00

From what I have seen on the video, it certainly looks like the police officer was heavy-handed and lost his self-control. I think his department will conduct the appropriate review and he will no longer be a police officer.

Having said that, some of the teens in the video (and, probably, not in the video) fueled the situation by not obeying the instructions of the police to disperse. Many of these so-called "police out of control" incidents could have been prevented by people obeying the law and/or obeying the instructions of the police who are attempting to investigate incidents / restore order at such scenes.

Response by SGT Brad Baker made Jun 8 at 2015 9:38 AM

2015-06-08T09:38:13-04:00

I guess it depends on where you get your information on whether or not it the "complete story". I for one would hesitate to get my "facts" from a site called, photographyisnotacrime.com. As others have noted, this is not the whole story. Is the cop in the wrong, highly likely he went a bit over the top, but there is always two sides of the story, a and once again, we have another situation that was escalated unnecessarily because citizens know that they can be complete a-holes to cops and someone will only video, or turn in the part of the video that shows the cop in the wrong.

Police spokeswoman Sabrina Boston said the incident involved "multiple juveniles at the location, who do not live in the area or have permission to be there, refusing to leave." She said additional units were dispatched after the first officers to arrive "encountered a large crowd that refused to comply with police commands."

Reference: http://www.kvue.com/story/news/local/2015/06/07/mckinney-chief-officers-conduct-raised-concerns/28662895/

McKinney chief: Officer's conduct raised concerns

McKINNEY, Texas — McKinney police said Sunday that an officer has been placed on administrative leave after a Friday evening disturbance at the Craig

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 8 at 2015 9:47 AM

2015-06-08T09:47:52-04:00

Not even getting to the meat of the story, the combat role was way, WAY over the top!!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2015 9:51 AM

2015-06-08T09:51:36-04:00

Yes he went too far. I think the problem in most growing population areas is that it lacks community-led policing. While I trust most cops as a law abiding citizen, we can slice the pie how we choose to but none of us can say trust is growing either.

Response by SSG Eddye Royal made Jun 8 at 2015 10:38 AM

2015-06-08T10:38:02-04:00

I saw the video, I didn't know any on that force in my area. I workout with different departments so all we say is wait tell the Internal Affair

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jun 8 at 2015 10:46 AM

2015-06-08T10:46:04-04:00

Excessive force? I think so. The girl was no immediate threat..but I don't know the full story.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2015 12:25 PM

2015-06-08T12:25:36-04:00

When the officer physically abused the girl then sat on her I was wish I were there so I could have kicked in his skull. I bet his fellow officers at the scene were all kinds of embarassed.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jun 8 at 2015 12:37 PM

2015-06-08T12:37:14-04:00

I can't form my opinion like every arm chair quarter back on Facebook who speak if this incident as if they have conducted a fool and thorough investigation. I will tell you this though, many of us know what its like to be in the middle of a crowd who will not listen.

Response by SGT Lawrence Corser made Jun 8 at 2015 4:14 PM

2015-06-08T16:14:25-04:00

Probably, all the facts arent out but it doesnt look good.

Response by SGT John Wesley made Jun 8 at 2015 6:03 PM

2015-06-08T18:03:49-04:00

Whether or not the Officer was wrong probably doesn't matter at this point. He failed to realize that in this day and age, everyone has the ability to shoot and upload a video.

You think these police forces would be hyper aware that this is a reality. I work for the Taxpayers and I treat every issue professionally, and remind myself that I don't want my Momma seeing me do something stupid on the local news.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Jun 8 at 2015 7:07 PM

2015-06-08T19:07:15-04:00

From what I have read, the girl in the picture, the black girl with the yellow bikini was attempting to leave, but the cop wasn't patient enough to give her a chance.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2015 7:15 PM

2015-06-08T19:15:59-04:00

I watched the video... Hard to tell what she did leading up to that. It's difficult to judge without knowing what she did that warranted the force. If five minutes earlier she kicked one of the cops in the crotch and ran and now came back, the officer may have felt that force was necessary to avoid another assault (not that I believe that happened) maybe the cop recognized her as a wanted person (again, I don't think that was it) but without any facts I can't make that call. Just based off the video I wouldn't have effected an arrest on her in that manner. Most of the kids looked as if they were at a pool party and the cops were just called for noise or something simple. Unfortunately it appears as if the officer escalated the situation which is the exact opposite of what police officers should do. Judging just off the video I would have to say the cop did a poor job. Looked like a rookie trying to prove something to me. As a supervisor I would have intervened long before the girl was on the ground.

Response by Sgt Cody Dumont made Jun 8 at 2015 7:27 PM

2015-06-08T19:27:09-04:00

Should it investigated, yes. Do I have an opinion without all the facts, no.

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Jun 8 at 2015 11:03 PM

2015-06-08T23:03:57-04:00

You need to hear the rest of the story. Not the one from msnbc.

Response by SSG John Erny made Jun 9 at 2015 1:04 AM

2015-06-09T01:04:22-04:00

Who among you were there? Did the police officer go to far?. Was is based on race or was it a cop who was pushed to far? Was it a classic teen party that most of us have been to? Hmmm, well let the investigation take place then pass jusgment.

Response by SSG Richard Reilly made Jun 9 at 2015 12:40 PM

2015-06-09T12:40:56-04:00

It appears that the police were acting a little extreme, however I don't know what happened before the video. But also they didn't need to resist or fight as much if they were innocent. They provoked it alot.

I will note the combat role the cop does is just funny.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2015 5:43 PM

2015-06-09T17:43:23-04:00

Clearly what we see in the video, regardless of what the girl had said to the Officer, is excessive force. I realize that not obeying an order from a police officer is grounds for arrest but clearly he used more force than necessary to subdue a girl who looks about 100lbs soaking wet. He didn't even inform the girl that he was arresting her, didn't give her an order to turn around and put her arms behind her back, nothing procedural in that situation what-so-ever.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2015 6:18 PM

2015-06-09T18:18:02-04:00

The police officer resigned today so this question is moot. Thank you for your comments, and now all of you can take a hike. Lol

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 9 at 2015 6:23 PM

2015-06-09T18:23:03-04:00

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm not going to obey a cop's instructions just because they're a cop especially if I'm doing nothing wrong.

The cop was wrong, plain and simple. I don't know everything that happened, just rumors that I've read on the Internet but that doesn't excuse his behavior and I for one am glad he's no longer an officer.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Jun 9 at 2015 7:49 PM

2015-06-09T19:49:27-04:00

I am prone to stand behind the cop in the vast majority of cases. However, this guy messed up and I feel he will inevitably pay in a big way.

Response by Sgt Chuck Haynes made Jun 9 at 2015 9:50 PM

2015-06-09T21:50:26-04:00

A lot of facts have not been brought to the fore front in regards to this incident. As of now the officer has resigned.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jun 10 at 2015 11:18 AM

2015-06-10T11:18:47-04:00

Maybe add some more to the story?

http://heavy.com/news/2015/06/eric-casebolt-mckinney-texas-police-officer-cop-suspended-black-teens-pool-party-arrest-video-leave-investigation-photo-gun-background-name/

Eric Casebolt: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Eric Casebolt is the McKinney, Texas, cop who has resigned after a video raised questions about his conduct while arresting…

Response by PO2 John Briggs made Jun 10 at 2015 1:56 PM

2015-06-10T13:56:50-04:00

ok after some looking into things with my own eyes and ears. this is what my thoughts on this are....1 he was the officer in charge on scene..... 2 he got imberrest for falling down.... 3 he pulled his gun... why??

did he over react to the scene that he arrived to.... yes
was he over reacting to the girl and throwing her to the ground .... yes and no... it should have never gotten that far out of hand... remember he was the officer on scene..and she should have followed the instructions of the officer....
should he have pulled his gun... no... he is the officer on scene ... he is the one that is supposed to have control of the scene... not be consumed by the scene...there was a better way to handle this scene...if he was worried that the MOB was closing ... control the scene ... pulling his gun could have made matter worse... lucky they did not go that way....
thats my point of view... thanks for your time

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 2:00 PM

2015-06-10T14:00:09-04:00

Did you see the story about that incident from some of the adults who were present? They said there was a fight going on a lot more then the camera shows

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Jun 11 at 2015 11:25 AM

2015-06-11T11:25:19-04:00

(Please read this whole post before you vote or put me on blast)

The fact of the matter is that we can sit here and "quarterback" this incident all day long. A few things come immediately to mind:

1. How many of us are trained and have experience as a civilian LEO and the civilian LEO use of force?

2. There are two and sometimes even three sides to every story. We haven't heard all the facts. We do not know how this call was dispatched to the LEO.

3. How many people were present when the LEO arrived on scene and was he alone? What were those people doing when the LEO arrived on scene?

4. Was the LEO alone upon arrival and if so for how long?

5. Did the LEO have prior knowledge of the people involved in this incident? Had he encountered these folks before? Had he been to this location previously, and if so what was the outcome of that call?

6. Does this LEO have a history of excessive force?

7. How long has this LEO been an LEO?

8. What were his "tools" available at the time? Did he have other less than or non-lethal means to exercise force?

These eight different points are just things that immediately come to mind here and now. There is more.... There are more questions that need to be answered before we can judge.

I'm not defending the LEO. Nor am I passing judgement.

Honestly, in civilian law enforcement I personally have done worse under similar circumstances. BUT, there was more to the story behind what was openly seen in my incident.

Just give this guy a fair shake. If he's guilty of being an asshole then throw the book at him. If it turns out that his reaction isn't so bad in consideration of everything then give the guy a break and say, "thanks for doing the best you could."

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Jun 12 at 2015 8:26 AM

2015-06-12T08:26:46-04:00

My personal opinions is that yes the officer could have acted more appropriately, but his actions are not worth losing his career and his quality of life over. There were over a hundred kids at this pool party, and very few officers. If all the kids just sat down AND STAYED THERE, he could have composed himself and slowly taken statements from everyone there. These kids weren't following his directions, the kids he asked to leave (which I would leave immediately so I don't get in trouble) refused to do so multiple times. The other kids kept getting up and moving around.

Yes he drew his gun, but look at how those two guys approached him. He didn't point at them, he reacted appropriately to what could have been a serious threat. The number of people there greatly out numbered him, and due the resistant he was getting it's not unreasonable for him to think that these kids might try to pull something that could harm him. Yes, it was a pool party, but those two guys were not wearing swimsuits and could have easily been concealing a weapon. Even if they weren't concealing a weapon they outnumbered him. He pulled out his weapon, so what? He didn't point it at anyone, the safety was probably still on, and he never fired. I do not see how this story got so twisted so that an officer defending himself against a perceived threat is him trying to rage kill a bunch of black kids. THAT IS NOT WHAT HAPPENED.

Could he have been a little more gentle with that girl? Yes, but she also refused to listen to him countless times, and then fought him the whole time. From what I understand this officer just responded to two back to back suicide calls, and while we can all argue that he shouldn't have shown up to the pool party call, if your fellow officers need you, you go. It's similar to the military concept, I'm not going to sit down and quit because I'm emotionally compromised I still have a job to do.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 12 at 2015 8:28 AM

2015-06-12T08:28:59-04:00

Well, the now former officer resigned his position so I think that speaks worlds.

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Sep 21 at 2015 3:43 PM

2015-09-21T15:43:56-04:00

Having been in several similar situations (out-numbered while attempting to make an arrest) I know his fear response and survival instincts overrode his rational thought processes. His training prevented him from firing his weapon. He did the best his instincts would allow.