EXCLUSIVE: Army veteran recalls rough encounter with deputy Ben Fields, now under fire for slamming student. Thoughts?

CPT Ahmed Faried — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 16:56:37 -0400

((UPDATE POSTED BELOW))

There is always a trail when it comes to Police Officers who are temperamentally unfit for the job and authority we entrust them with.

The 15-second video of sheriff's deputy Ben Fields slamming a student to the ground sent shivers down Carlos Martin's spine.

After all, he'd been manhandled by the beefy South Carolina cop the same way almost exactly 10 years before.

"I recognized him on the spot. I remembered how big he was," the 36-year-old Army veteran told the Daily News.

Martin had encountered Fields twice before: once in a Columbia, S.C., parking lot during an arrest and later in the courtroom, where Martin and his wife, Tashiana, filed suit against the hulking officer for civil rights violations.

That suit fizzled out during a drawn-out legal process, but Martin still bears the emotional scars from the 2005 confrontation with Fields, who then was a rookie officer with the Richland County Sheriff's Department.

Fields on Monday made national news after video of him throwing a female Spring Valley High School student to the ground during an arrest went viral online. And it brought bad memories cascading back for Martin.

Now an actor, Martin had only recently moved to Columbia, South Carolina's capital city, after an overseas stint with the Army in Germany.

He was working at the Moncrief Army Community Hospital at Fort Jackson and ran into Fields when he returned home from a day of work.

Fields was at the apartment complex parking lot, responding to a call for a noise complaint. Martin was playing the music loudly in his car when he pulled in.

Fields on Monday made national news after video of him throwing a female Spring Valley High School student to the ground during an arrest went viral online. And it brought bad memories cascading back for Martin.

Now an actor, Martin had only recently moved to Columbia, South Carolina's capital city, after an overseas stint with the Army in Germany.

He was working at the Moncrief Army Community Hospital at Fort Jackson and ran into Fields when he returned home from a day of work.

Fields was at the apartment complex parking lot, responding to a call for a noise complaint. Martin was playing the music loudly in his car when he pulled in.

An argument ensued in the broad daylight on Oct. 24, 2005.
Martin said the beefy officer "snapped" after he called him "dude," and slammed him on the ground. He began pepper-spraying the helpless veteran, but Martin said he was trained in the military to resist the chemicals. An entire canister of the stuff failed to disable Martin.

"He became even more violent because I didn't react like most people would," Martin told the News.

His wife at the time, Tashiana Rogers, witnessed the fracas, and ran outside to take photos of the violent encounter with her cellphone.
That's when Fields called for his partner to "get her black ass," Martin said. The officer grabbed her phone and deleted the photos.

Fields then called for backup.

"I'm watching my wife get beat up in front of me, and there's nothing I can do about it," Martin said.
The former medic, who spent 10 years in the service, said his encounter with the hulking officer lead to his divorce and discharge from the military.

Fields said he didn't care that Martin, still in uniform, was a soldier, the former medic said.

During the arrest, Martin told Fields the rough arrest would lead to a lawsuit.
"I'm glad Johnny Cochran is dead," Fields shot back, according to Martin.

The officer also told Martin as he was cuffed that "you're just another notch in my belt," according to court documents.

The criminal charges against both Martin and his wife were dropped, but it took four years to get to trial. During that time, the military considered Martin a criminal and blackballed him, he said.

At the same time, his marriage was falling apart because of the attack. His wife divorced him because she felt he couldn't protect her from the violent cop, he said.

He had been in the military for nearly a decade and married for three years.

The lawsuit was later dismissed because there had been issues with proving excessive force, his criminal trial lawyer, John Mobley told the Daily News. His ex-wife's lawsuit went to court, and the jury ruled in favor of the sheriff's department, he said.
"That was shocking. I was definitely shocked that the jury did not find in her favor," Mobley said.

Rogers was shocked too. She worries Fields was allowed to operate with impunity — giving him freedom to terrorize high school students.

"I felt like if he had felt the consequences from 2005, this wouldn't happen today," she told the Daily News.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/army-vet-recalls-rough-encounter-sc-dep-ben-fields-article-1.2412418

[UPDATE on the victim of Deputy Field's violent arrest:]

I have noticed that every single commenter who says that this child "got what she deserved" has failed to address the fact that she lost the remaining members of her family in the last year or two. She is 15. She is grieving; she is probably scared spitless: what's she going to do now? Where's she going to go? Yes, she has a foster family, but that does not in any way mitigate the loss of her mother and grandmother.
She wakes up every morning to that reality. She was NOT violent. Her behavior indicates that she needs grief counseling, attention, and support. Even if those things were NOT true, this bully had absolutely no right the attack this NON-VIOLENT child in the classroom. Apparently, more people than this cop have power problems.

Army vet recalls rough encounter with S.C. cop

The 15-second video of sheriff's deputy Ben Fields slamming a student to the ground sent shivers down Carlos Martin's spine.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2015 4:59 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 16:59:23 -0400

CPT Ahmed Faried This is something I took note of in the video right away. His size, the ease with which he tossed the student across the room, his body position in relation to hers.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2015 5:05 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 17:05:25 -0400

CPT Ahmed Faried Here is the video if you want to post it. There are several videos out there, this is the first one I saw and it shows how he tossed her across the room, it doesn't look like it is an appropriate use of force.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/27/us/south-carolina-school-arrest-video/index.html

Outrage grows after Spring Valley High School officer tosses student - CNN.com

Video shows an officer at Spring Valley High School yank a student violently from her desk. Many are outraged, using hashtag #AssaultAtSpringValleyHigh.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2015 5:20 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 17:20:18 -0400

CPT Ahmed Faried , the article states that the case was dismissed because "there had been issues with proving excessive force".

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Oct 27 at 2015 5:52 PM

CPO Andy Carrillo, MS — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 17:52:55 -0400

This student had 3 opportunities to leave the room (for whatever reason): when directed by the teacher, by the teacher's supervisor, and finally by the school resource officer. This girl refused each time, even when asked verbally by the officer to get up and go with him. It then became a pissing contest when she again refused. If he had used chemical means or induced a pain-compliance technique the results would not have been much different. No one was reportedly hurt, so there was no 'excessive force'. Complying with the teacher or principal would have easily prevented this encounter. The student brought this on herself. Welcome to real world law enforcement where LE cleans up parent's messes...

Response by MAJ Jim Steven made Oct 27 at 2015 8:14 PM

MAJ Jim Steven — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 20:14:01 -0400

that article seems quite one sided...they only quote Martin...did they do any research or corroborate any claims??
regardless, this cop seems like a bit of a jackass.

Response by SPC Nathan Freeman made Oct 27 at 2015 9:59 PM

SPC Nathan Freeman — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 21:59:12 -0400

One has to wonder how much of this is true. If like to hear the officer's version of the story. There are always two sides to every story. After ten years of marriage, they get divorced over him being manhandled by a trained cop? Something tells me there's more to that story as well. If he kept his music to himself and treated the police with respect, he wouldn't have so many run ins with the law.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2015 1:30 AM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 01:30:07 -0400

I'm usually the first to jump to the defense of the cop, but this case seems to be another case of a cop being way out of line. That being said, do I feel sorry for this student? No. You used to be able to cure this type of behavior with a yardstick, wiffle paddle, or a call to the parents, but unfortunately that is no longer acceptable. We need to start finding a way to cure this disease of disrespect and disobedience in my generation and younger. Thankfully, I had parents who enforced respect and discipline, but now we have what seems to be an entire generation who think they should be able to act like an undisciplined badass, break laws and do whatever they want and then scream foul when they get hurt. I don't support this cop, or what he did, and he should be punished. However, that doesn't change the fact that this could have been prevented with a lesson in respect and discipline.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Oct 28 at 2015 3:13 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 03:13:17 -0400

Attitude has consequences. Cooperation would have avoided all of that fallout.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2015 8:42 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 08:42:50 -0400

I want to see the entire story. I do know the Student struck the Officer in the Face when he touched her. I also know that he was called after repeated attempts to get her to leave the class.

At best, she would have been charged with assault on a public servant if it would have ended there, but I now pose a question (to everyone in here).

How would you remove her from the class?
She has already decided to defy authority and it is apparent she does not care about the other students or being in a learning environment. What you would most likely run into is someone that would start out being passive resistant and end up being combatant. How do you handle children (and adults) being this way?

Was he wrong? I don't know, I was not there. I have not seen the entire event from beginning to end. None of us have.

Also, we all have served with dirt bags. So, anyone's story about why they got out (after 10 years), how their marriage failed, and how they can eat an entire can of Freeze Plus P is suspect. I was not tought in the Military to defeat OC/Pepper Spray. I was taught to use my gas mask and that is works. I was sprayed with OC in order to carry it while on duty; however, I also know we do not carry anything other than that.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2015 9:38 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 09:38:27 -0400

Knowing the cop has pending lawsuits against him for excessive force and not knowing the full story of the high school student incident. I'd still say this was (way) excessive force. Are there several faults here - yes. Somewhere, the child failed to adhere to basic rules and understanding of her environment. Why? That remains to be determined. Even if a teenage girl of her stature hit that cop in the face - does it warrant him acting the way he did? I'd argue (very strongly) that it doesn't. As a LEO - I would imagine you're (supposedly) trained to handle situations with the least amount of force necessary. I'd have a hard time arguing that the force shown in this picture was needed to de-escalate this situation.

Yes - the girl was in the wrong, but again - no one knows her story yet (at least I haven't heard what her deal was, other than being new to the school). She may have some home issues or personal issues that she's dealing with. Does it excuse her behavior - absolutely not. But it doesn't condone the escalation of force shown here either.

The LEO obviously has issues that haven't been addressed - whether it's some form of PTSD, or just anger management issues.

Either way, I hope both the young girl and the LEO find the help they need to get back on a more righteous path and hopefully this is a case of civil rights/human rights and not black vs white.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2015 10:03 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 10:03:48 -0400

"His wife at the time, Tashiana Rogers, witnessed the fracas, and ran outside to take photos of the violent encounter with her cellphone.
That's when Fields called for his partner to "get her black ass," Martin said. The officer grabbed her phone and deleted the photos."

Where did the pictures in the link come from?

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Oct 28 at 2015 10:31 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 10:31:25 -0400

I'm still going to wait this out before passing full judgement, but there are too many other types of takedowns that are very effective in getting someones full attention without the use of force seen in this video. Not justifying anyone in this video, but I cannot see where it was ok to go this far on someone that wasn't a clear threat to hurt anyone. Passive resisting is still resisting, but on a female child in this manner? Something just isn't right, and I hope there's a full and open investigation on this.

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Oct 28 at 2015 12:27 PM

TSgt Kenneth Ellis — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 12:27:09 -0400

There is another video. It shows the student throwing punches and trying to kick the officer. The student was disrupting class. Is that fair to the other students trying to learn? I'm surprised that Obama has not jumped in. If the student got out of her desk. Instead of resisting the officer. This would have not happend. The desk falling over. I just got an alert the officer has been fired.

Response by MAJ Jim Steven made Oct 28 at 2015 1:40 PM

MAJ Jim Steven — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 13:40:01 -0400

http://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article41674

Sheriff fires Richland deputy after altercation with Spring Valley student

Richland County Sheriff’s Department Senior Deputy Ben Fields was fired Wednesday, two days after an altercation between him and a female student at Spring Valley High School was caught on video and posted online.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 29 at 2015 1:14 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 13:14:09 -0400

Interesting ROE.

Response by SSG Todd Halverson made Oct 29 at 2015 2:28 PM

SSG Todd Halverson — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 14:28:47 -0400

Hard to pass judgement when you only have one side of the story. But, he had his day in court and the Deputy was found not guilty in all the charges.
Now as far as the student, from what I have gathered and read around the internet, the girl had ample opportunities to comply with the teacher, principal and the deputy. She refused and possibly struck the officer. Thus requiring him to take a more aggressive approach to diffuse the situation as quickly as possible without putting the other students at risk. He had no idea how she would react next. I stand behind the deputy and the way he handled the situation. Too many cops are getting injured or killed because everyone wants them to be more passive and gentle. BS

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 29 at 2015 4:05 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 16:05:27 -0400

He could have broken her neck.

Response by SSG Richard Reilly made Oct 30 at 2015 10:18 AM

SSG Richard Reilly — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 10:18:29 -0400

I will say this. HE used excessive force. But there is always a fine line between excessive and enough. That "student" should have moved the fuck out when told by every adult that told her. She expected that no one would physically move her so she continued to act a fool. The cop could have removed her in a lessor way maybe just picking up the desk and bringing it out the classroom but truthfully at that point she is under arrest. She fought a little and he over compensated. He should never have treated a child even a poorly disciplined one that way. But even though he is wrong that does not excuse the child. she is going to be back in class showing every student that being disruptive and not listening to authorities is ok becuase you have more rights than them. It's a complete shit storm all the round.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Oct 30 at 2015 1:26 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 13:26:49 -0400

I will respond here with the hopes that I am better able to word my response so I don't get accused of not understanding because until these things start happen to people who "tend to look like me", I can't. FIRST, I will agree that the officers use of force was to much after he originally got her to the ground. When he tossed her to the front of the classroom, that was to much. What if he had stopped after forcefully removing her from the desk, would there have been no outrage? I would hate to be put in his shoes, you have a young student (in this particular case that student was a she) refusing to comply with a lawful command, NOTHING you do will be right. If you put your hands on them, you could lose your job and probably get sued (which is why we have RSO's anyway, to take the liability away from the school). If you do nothing, you send a clear message that students can do whatever they want without consequence. So, based on policy and training, what exactly should of the officer done?

Also, should we be having as big a discussion (not here, but in general) about the lack of respect for authority in today's youth? Regardless on how this situation was handled, it all could of been prevented had the young lady simply complied with the numerous adults orders. His actions had a consequence, he was fired. Her actions should have equal consequence, if she can not handle being in school and listening to those put in charge of educating our youth, maybe she needs to take "a timeout" until she learns respect and how to appropriately handle herself in public. The real 'losers' in this situation is not the Police Officer or the young lady, the real losers were the other students who were trying to learn that day.

Response by SSgt Ray Stone made Oct 30 at 2015 1:37 PM

SSgt Ray Stone — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 13:37:09 -0400

I wonder if the comment " well the little girl should have complied" would be so rampant on this board if she had been white and the cop had been a big Black Man? Things that make you go HMMMM

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2015 2:11 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 14:11:23 -0400

In my day I would have got beat twice Once by the police officer and once by my dad when I got home......A Police Officer was called after patience was administered the teacher asked the student to put the phone away then a counselor was called and the student still said no.....she is now causing a disturbance and other kids are not being taught since this child is disturbing the classroom.....the Police Officer was called to reestablish order on the classroom so that the other 25 or so kids could go back to learning instead of babysitting this ignorant child.....the Police Officer asked her repeatedly to get up she said no...........when he went to assist her she struck him........My conversation with Teachers at the Parent Teacher conference went like this.......you are not here to babysit if my child causes a disturbance you call me and I promise you that will be the last time that happens.......

Response by Cpl Dave D made Oct 30 at 2015 6:28 PM

Cpl Dave D — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 18:28:01 -0400

If the cop roughed up the vet for calling him dude then he needs to be put in prison. There is no room in this society for power happy cops. But it's his word against the cops. One of the biggest reasons that I am in favor of body cams that record the entire time they are on duty.
In the incident with the student I don't believe he did anything wrong. Disrupting class is a violation of SC law. She was ordered to leave the class. When she didn't it became tresspassing.
Looking at all three videos over and over I don't think it was his intent to slam her on the ground. He didn't look like he was mad or out of control prior to grabbing her.
Once he did go hands on she struggled and punched the officer in the neck. That's why she got put on the ground. He could have cuffed her right away but she was still in the desk and still fighting so he slid her across the room. He didn't throw her she never left the ground.
As for her personal life yeah that sucks. I honestly feel bad for her. I can't imagine what it's like to through all that, especially at her age. But when a cop is ordering you to leave all of that becomes irrelevant. The cop isn't going to hand you a form to fill out in order to explain to him why you are breaking the law. They're not going to ask you if someone has recently passed away or ask about your current living situation. They don't have the time. Explain that to the court. You have broken the law and they are there to stop you from breaking the law.
She wasn't non violent.
She's not the victim.
The cop was fired for doing his job.
If this was my daughter she would write a public apology to the teacher, pricipal, cop and every single student in that class.