Posted on Oct 27, 2015
EXCLUSIVE: Army veteran recalls rough encounter with deputy Ben Fields, now under fire for slamming student. Thoughts?
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((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.
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.
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Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 20
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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.
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.
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LTC (Join to see)
I beg to differ on the LEO's role - as they have plethora of roles and responsibilities. One being to handle a situation at the lowest level of force required - a teenage girl does not require the force he showed.
In regarding to her mental capacity - I can't comment on whether or not she belongs in a special education class, as that's not what I was alluding to with what her possible issues are.
Way to sneak in politics in to a case that I doubt had any political implications until MSM spun it so.
In regarding to her mental capacity - I can't comment on whether or not she belongs in a special education class, as that's not what I was alluding to with what her possible issues are.
Way to sneak in politics in to a case that I doubt had any political implications until MSM spun it so.
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MSgt (Join to see)
Cpt Ahmed, Her own friends stated that. There is a second video that shows it.
I contort nothing, but enjoy watching people do it.
I contort nothing, but enjoy watching people do it.
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MSgt (Join to see)
I would suggest reading up on the Force Continuum and SC laws pertaining to it. Maybe you will be able to think clearer in situations like this afterwards.
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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.
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SSG Warren Swan
Where did he treat the cop with disrespect? He made a mistake of calling him "dude" and the cop "went off". Hell the cop was in the area for another call, when he came in and just happened to have his radio too loud.
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SPC Nathan Freeman
As a general rule, I teach my children to call every man "sir" and every woman "ma'am". Nobody ever gets offended by that (except for a few NCOs)
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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.
regardless, this cop seems like a bit of a jackass.
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MAJ Jim Steven
I agree...and some people are not meant to be cops. I imagine it takes a whole lot of patience. I know I don't have it
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MSgt (Join to see)
I have a reputation. Never believe anything 100% until you see the behavior personally.
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MSgt (Join to see)
It makes no difference what my reputation is. You stated this Deputy had a reputation. Unless you have seen this behavior through your own eyes and not through a video it is irrelevant. Furthermore, the third video shows this young lady striking him and resisting. She started striking once he placed his hand on her arm.
Now, did he throw her back in her chair? I see it as both of them. He was not in a good position to throw her back without her assistance and starting the momentum.
The fact is, I look at this incident from all angles and through open eyes. Others do not. They prefer to have their own jaded view and spread it as truth.
Now, my reputation? I am looked as an asshole. Why? Because I ask people that I do help to not mention it. I do not want anyone in my area to know how soft I am.
Now, did he throw her back in her chair? I see it as both of them. He was not in a good position to throw her back without her assistance and starting the momentum.
The fact is, I look at this incident from all angles and through open eyes. Others do not. They prefer to have their own jaded view and spread it as truth.
Now, my reputation? I am looked as an asshole. Why? Because I ask people that I do help to not mention it. I do not want anyone in my area to know how soft I am.
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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.
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.
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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.......
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CPT Ahmed Faried
When he was turning her over in that violent manner she was flailing (laws of physics) and her hand hit him. You and plenty others here are convinced she was deliberately hitting him. Whatever helps y'all justify his abuse. In either case his own department says he was wrong. I suppose they don't know what they are talking about either.
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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
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SSgt Ray Stone
CPT Ahmed Faried - Definitely, as you can see no one responded to my comment. A Majority on this board cannot relate to melanin rich individuals when it comes to social issues as this.
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CPT Ahmed Faried
SSgt Ray Stone - careful you might be seen as playing the race card. It is a lot easier to throw out than an honest discussion of the underlying causes.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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TSgt Kenneth Ellis
CPT Ahmed Faried - I don't know if I can. . Will try but I taking my mom to her doctors appointment.
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"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?
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?
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CPT Ahmed Faried
supposed some survived? Or maybe he's making the whole thing up. Which is easier to believe.
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MSgt (Join to see)
Well, either is easy to believe. I have had mutliple complaints against me and each time the complaintant lied and eventually told the truth.
One of the complaints came from someone that claimed "we tangled years ago" and that he was never able to get over it. Maybe hitting me in the ear from behind is not a great life choice.
One of the complaints came from someone that claimed "we tangled years ago" and that he was never able to get over it. Maybe hitting me in the ear from behind is not a great life choice.
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