Teen stopped while sprinting on sidewalk alleges unlawful arrest
A teenager is alleging in a lawsuit that a plainclothes Washtenaw County sheriff's deputy didn't identify himself as police when he confronted the teen as he was sprinting on an Ypsilanti sidewalk, grabbed him and slammed him against a door, knocking both of them through glass.
Charles Taylor, 19, of Ypsilanti, is suing Deputy Ryan Stuck, Det. Kevin Parviz, Ypsilanti police Officer Anthony Schembri, the city of Ypsilanti and Washtenaw County.
He is suing for assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, false arrest and conspiracy. The suit, filed in late September in Washtenaw County Circuit Court, seeks an unspecified amount of money. It claims the officers were biased toward Taylor because he's black.
Ypsilanti City Attorney John Barr and County Attorney Curt Hedger could not be reached for comment.
According to the suit, Taylor was sprinting from the Bank of Ann Arbor on West Michigan Avenue to LMT Party Store on Pearl Street, where he works. He picked up some change at the bank, the lawsuit says, because the store was short and needed it immediately to serve customers.
As Taylor was sprinting on a sidewalk on Michigan Avenue near Huron Street, the suit alleges that Stuck got out of an unmarked Ford sedan, also occupied by Det. Parviz. Stuck was wearing blue jeans and a blue hooded University of Michigan sweatshirt, the suit says. It also says the car's hidden emergency lights were not on. Schembri was in a patrol vehicle in the area and all three officers had seen Taylor sprinting earlier and thought it was suspicious, the suit says.
According to the suit, Stuck was behind Taylor and yelled "Hey!" prompting Taylor to slow and turn. Taylor was unaware Stuck was a police officer, the suits says, as Stuck ran toward him.
The suit alleges that Stuck grabbed Taylor "violently and drove him into the entrance way of a vacant building, slamming him into the glass of the doorway." Both were knocked through the glass and suffered injuries, the suit says, without being more specific. Stuck pulled Taylor off the ground and assisted Schembri with putting handcuffs on him, the suit claims.
Taylor explained to officers that he was running because "he was getting change at the bank," the suit says. According to the suit, Taylor was holding two rolls of change.
Schembri searched him for weapons and anything else illegal and found nothing, the suit says. The suit alleges that Taylor was put in the back of a patrol car, but never charged with anything.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
John Hritz
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 9:11 p.m.
This story has doubtlessly dropped off the radar, but the suit was dismissed in March: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCOURTS-mied-2_11-cv-15683/pdf/USCOURTS-mied-2_11-cv-15683-0.pdf The facts of the case held, but there were a lot of procedural misteps by Taylor and/or his representation. There is an implication that he was injured during this event, but was told that he would be responsible for the cost of care and transport. If he had been arrested that would have fallen on the city to pay.
joe.blow
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 3:08 a.m.
Also people, this story wasn't written in a non-biased manner. AA.com chose to try and smear the cops and make this a racial issue. All the news should do is give the facts, yet they do in it such a greasy leaning way. Shame. Don't get me wrong, this sounds bad, but we are only shown one view.
Fat Bill
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 2:47 a.m.
Having worked for and with many police departments over the last 22 years, let me assure you that the ratio of useful to useless is similar to that in the civilian workforce. The problem is, when a computer technician makes a mistake, s/he doesn't usually violate somebody's civil rights or accidentally end their life. We don't draft cops, they choose the occupation and are therefore responsible for the legal and social consequences of their mistakes.
Somargie
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 11:43 p.m.
Mr. Taylor's real crime was 'SWB' (Sprinting while Black or Brown)? In our current society, many black/brown citizens are stop unnecessarily simply because of the color of their skin. This is nothing new. What's new is the fact that it's actually been reported.
Jack
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 9:14 p.m.
For those of you who assume this only happens to black people: It also happens to white people, particularly young people. It can happen to anyone. That said, it no doubt happens with greater frequency to black people, in part due to low socioeconomic standing that results in petty crime. But to assume that white people get a free pass is simply ignorant. My dad (white) got pushed up against a wall some time ago because someone in the area had just commited a crime and he fit the description. He did not sue, but he didn't get pushed through a pane of glass, either. If this suit was filed in September and served in September, an answer should already have also been filed with the court. If this is the case, why weren't the contents the the answer revealed in this article? It is very one-sided.
Paul Epstein
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 8:43 p.m.
I am so so tired of Conservatives who feel this kind of thing either doesn't happen or are apologists for those who do it. I take it that it's apt punishment for a teen to be slammed into a wall for the offense of being there and looking "suspicious"? And, of course, since it's a teen, the unpopularity of his age group (not to mention the big one-- his race) in sectors of society that make and enforce all the rules will assure that this treatment is considered appropriate among certain factions. And naive me thought we were done with law enforcers who hold their job only for the purpose of proving they possess a certain anatomical part, and are nonetheless considered heroes and protectors of our well-being.
omniskeptic
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 7:44 p.m.
breadman said: "I know it was not done in Jaskson CC...." What on earth are you talking about?
dogpaddle
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 5:51 p.m.
Especially since the young man was found with nothing more than two rolls of change on him after he was searched, I have no reason not to believe his story that he was sprinting to and from the bank to be a dedicated employee and hurry back to the business who was waiting and he happens to be a good runner. I used to run, too. And sprint some times. Usually not from a bank. And that's my point. I'm trying to see this from the officer's point of view, too, who, like others have commented, perhaps was being observant and vigilant and doing his job but overreacted (shoot first - or in this case shove through glass first - ask questions later). Police are trained to act quickly. After all, how many officers have been shot in the line of duty because an actual criminal pulled a gun faster than they did? How many of us (especially given the amount of bank robberies in the last two years) would call 911 upon seeing someone (of any race) sprinting from a bank? I'm not saying Taylor doesn't have that right. Of course he does. This just sounds like an unfortunate incident and an overreaction to something that wasn't what it seemed. If the officer made a mistake, it's time to admit it and rectify the situation ASAP. They are human, too. Sounds to me it was an honest mistake in judgement that could've happened to any of us. The more questionable part isn't being suspicious of a sprinter from a bank, but the excessive use of force in the apprehension phase. Over the top perhaps?
A2Susie
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 5:09 p.m.
Those of you who think this young man should have known better than to run from a bank, please stop adding insult to injury to this young person. He was attacked and injured WITHOUT probable cause. Yes, we need to hear the other side, but even then, unless there are credible eye witnesses, we will not know all that happened. But to blame this young man for being conscientious about his job is awful; we should all have such committed employees. He was not charged! What does that tell you?
jcj
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 6:07 p.m.
While I tend to agree with you, listen to what you are saying. "Yes, we need to hear the other side" Sounds like it does not matter what the other side says when you follow with this... " unless there are credible eye witnesses, we will not know all that happened." "But to blame this young man for being conscientious about his job is awful" You have already taken his word for what happened. Having said that his story sounds credible to me.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 4:17 p.m.
This is just the kind of thing that erodes the pubic trust in police officers. I consider it to be very important that our community has police officers who can be trusted to have some common sense and good judgement. It is important for every law abiding member of our community, including young black men, to feel that the police are on their side. The damage this incident has done is much worse than any judgement awarded to this kid. However, I applaud him for bringing suit against the county and the city too if YPD officers had a role in this (it isn't clear in the article if they did). Law suits like this, that hit communities financially, tend to motivate people to demand better service from local police departments. It also can help police departments to identify the troublemakers in their ranks before things get really out of hand. Unless this kid was seriously injured, he isn't likely to get a terribly huge judgement. But it will give Washtenaw County the opportunity to either reassign this officer to a role that doesn't involve being out in the public or to get rid of him altogether before he more seriously injures or, heaven forbid, kills someone. It also can send the message to other police officers that this kind of thing is not going to be tolerated which actually will make them better police officers.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 7:40 p.m.
I'll admit that I am not 100% confident that an internal investigation will be fair. But in a general sense, without commenting on anyone specifically, I can say that as a citizen, I will not tolerate a police officer throwing a man through a glass window simply because he was running on a public street. If it turns out that there is more to the story, I am open to hearing it.
Nephilim
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 5:07 p.m.
So..the cops r already guilty? Maybe you need to be reassigned also if you can determine all that from this article.
a2girl
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 1:25 p.m.
I would like to hear the other side of the story, but it sounds like this kid just got a college education paid for.
EyeHeartA2
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 1:01 p.m.
I can say in total honesty that every single person I have ever seen sprinting out of a bank had just robbed it.
Bear
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 11:09 p.m.
And how many people would THAT be? Since you are obviously proffering yourself as an 'expert' on the subject. I've run from the bank after getting some cash that I needed and being in a hurry to meet a girl that I'd invited to have lunch with me, not wanting to be late. I didn't rob the bank, either.
justcurious
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 12:53 p.m.
All day and night on the scanner you hear Washtenaw County dispatch calling officers with caller's reports of "suspicious people". Things like "man in black hoodie walking down street", "man standing in front of building", "two men riding in car driving slowly". Big brother is here, now. The officers have to run on these calls. Paranoid citizens everywhere. A "caller" could have already reported that kid running to the bank for change.
walker101
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 12:31 p.m.
Bottom line don't run fast if your black in the streets, that's only for white folks.
Jimmy McNulty
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 11:59 a.m.
Although the story states the lawsuit was filed in late September, WHEN exactly did the incident occur?
Richard
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 7:14 a.m.
Poor kid. I hope he wins.
Bear
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 6 a.m.
dumber than a box of rocks. Why was he suspicious? Because he was black & running? Yeah, right. Way to go with the undercover dupes who think they are starsky & hutch. Lucky if they didn't inflict major harm on the poor kid. After he explained what he was doing, they throw him in the back of the sedan, handcuffed? Well, they had to decide how they were going to explain this one and try to find a way to pin something on him. It's one thing to respond to an actual crime going on, which Ypsi cops have been doing well at; it's another entirely when you are trolling for perps and don't know how to act, how to identify yourself and then attack an honest citizen going about his own business. just plain stupid.
David Paris
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 3:41 a.m.
Nothing in this story would incline me to be sympathetic towards the Sheriffs Dept. And FWIW, nor the bank.
ArthGuinness
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 3:33 a.m.
I don't think there's enough information to judge yet. However, I dispute anyone who thinks that it is somehow obvious that you shouldn't sprint out of a bank - if this guy's story is upheld, it sounds like he had a perfectly good reason to do so. You can't just go around all day making sure to not do anything that somebody might think is suspicious. That being said, an officer is free to identify himself and ask him to stop for some questions. And if the officer did so clearly, the guy should have stopped. But we just don't know what happened right now.
ArthGuinness
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 3:29 p.m.
I think you're replying to the wrong person, or you can't read - I have no problem with someone running down the street (I do it all the time, even running past banks!) And you're taking this guy's word for it that the officer didn't identify himself. Maybe he didn't, maybe he did. We've only heard half the story so far, and there's two sides to every story.
walker101
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 12:36 p.m.
How is running in the street suspicious? Officer didn't identify him till after he knocked Mr. Taylor down through a glass door, he did not identify himself as an officer nor did he act like one.
Dave66
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 3:22 a.m.
RWB: Running While Black. Ypsi cops *totally* profile. I used to drive a beat up old car which had blinking LEDs in the back window which were attached to the brake lights. They were popular with young black men at the time. I got pulled over in Ypsi about once a week, on the thinnest of pretexts. When the cop walked up to my window and saw that I am not black, he'd make up some stupid excuse for pulling me over, like going 36mph in a 35mph zone. Then I bought a new car and I never got pulled over again. I lived in the same apartment, worked the same job, drove the same route home at the same time of the day as before, and never got pulled over again. When I drove a car with blinking LEDs popular with black men, I got pulled over *constantly*. When I drove a new Saturn, I never got pulled over again. Yeah, they were profiling me. Big time. I can only wonder how bad it could have been if I actually were black.
MIKE
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 6:45 p.m.
You talk about profiling, yet you claim that "black men" like a particular type of brake light. Maybe you were getting pulled over because your car was falling apart?
sidwally
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 12:53 a.m.
Absolutely disgusting, this is only the tip of the iceberg. The police offers in our area practice so much racism and bias towards their supposed "suspects". I got pulled over in Ypsi once because my passenger was black and the police officer didn't even walk up to my window he walked up to his. He said that my friend looked at him in a "suspicious" manner. Its absolutely disgusting what these officers are doing.
obviouscomment
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 4:56 p.m.
@jackietreehorn I've never seen a officers in ypsi city or township go to the passenger side of the vehicle.
Jackietreehorn
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 7:16 a.m.
I find it incredibly suspicious that this officer didn't want to stand out in moving traffic while making this traffic stop. Obviously racism at work.
Terry Star21
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 2:16 a.m.
Ha, ha - you are too funny, nice joke !
Tony Rizzo
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 12:38 a.m.
That's right. Keep suing cops and next time when they see a suspicious guy running out of a bank, they'll just sit there and won't do anything. I want my cops to be actively involved in their job.
Bear
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 6:08 a.m.
So, tackling somebody who isn't doing anything is being safe instead of sorry? That dog don't hunt, my friend. How many times is something like this acceptable? how far would you be willing to allow cops to intrude into your life simply because they thought you suspicious, in their opinion, with no real basis for that suspicion other than their 'hunch'? What part of 'slippery slope' do you fail to comprehend? I believe it's people with attitudes such as yours that are selling our basic legal rights down the toilet. Maybe we should begin to watch what we say, lest we be thought to be 'suspicious' enough to be pulled over, have our phones tapped and have GPS locaters slapped on our vehicles so that police can 'monitor' our movements to see if we do anything that 'might' be illegal or suspicious. What is this world coming to? Sold down the river by gossipers & wimps.
Terry Star21
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 3:43 a.m.
Good comment Tony - better to be safe than sorry.
Dave66
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 3:23 a.m.
Suspicious in what way? Being black? Running is not probable cause.
Geek
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 12:27 a.m.
I can't believe that there are so many comments about a report that is only reflecting plaintiff's side. I don't want to make any judgements unless I hear from the police side as well. All I know is that we have few number of cops, and they don't have extra time to just slam innocent people into the walls There's more to this...
Nephilim
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 12:12 p.m.
Nooooo. A young person would never lie to make a buck. Ever. How about tawana brawley. She didn't lie either, did she?
Bear
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 6:15 a.m.
More? So you are saying that this young man is lying just to make a buck? i agree that AnnArbor.com is a lame excuse for a real newspaper, mostly regurgitating what is handed to them, but there are some plain facts here. He wasn't committing a crime, he had to get back to the store he was employed at with the change in order to serve his customers in a timely fashion and i'm betting that if he was white, he wouldn't have been even noticed by these guys. I know a lot of people who work at & own party stores and their employees often 'run' to get change because it is needed immediately. The police didn't have to charge in and tackle him. They could very well have followed him and checked it out in a reasonable fashion. there are people out there who will rob you and begin by telling you to stop because they are police. Robbers use that all the time to get into someone's apartments as well. So, it just seems to me that you are prone to excuse the cops and blame the victim in this case.
toothless wonder
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 12:11 a.m.
C'mon you guys! WHO here hasn't ran up to someone and slammed them through a glass door or window especially with so much force and lack of athletic ability as to make themselves go through the "new" opening too!? So some glass and wood splinters are covering you both, you check yourself the best you can to make sure you're not going to "bleed out"... It happens, all in a days work for Ypsi PD amirite?? What you need is a simple balance sheet: On the left column is what charges a civilian would get doing this to a civilian On the right column is what the occifer is charged with or is culpable for. With apologists and minimizing of the laws of physics and so forth, TA DA! He is actually in the right it turns out in the internal investigation!!
YpsiVeteran
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 1:33 a.m.
Perhaps you need to read the article again. it clearly says Washtenaw County Sheriff's Deputies initiated the contact and the subsequent window crashing with the teen. Ypsi PD came along after. So, to answer your "amirite" question, the answer is "no, you're not."
CountyKate
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 11:43 p.m.
My, what a lot of comments where there's been a rush to judgment. Anybody can say anything in a lawsuit; it doesn't have to be true. Before we scream "off with their heads," why not wait to see how this plays out?
justcurious
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 12:59 p.m.
"why not wait to see how this plays out?" ah...because you will never hear how this plays out??? I don't think the court is going to send you a letter or email about it.
Bear
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 6:27 a.m.
Apparently a level headed person is only one who agrees with your opinion or perspective. That's plain ridiculous.
Bear
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 6:25 a.m.
that %49 was a typo... meant to type %40
Bear
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 6:24 a.m.
This is going to happen regardless of what you or anyone else desires. That's the way the system is supposed to work. I, personally feel that police need to get a reality check. You all may sit there and try to minimize what these officers did, but I've had personal experience with jack=booted thugs with badges who came into my house, damaged it, searched it for nonexistent drug manufacturing and leave laughing when they found out it was (what they call) a 'dry hole'. Because of the Patriot Act, I couldn't even find out what idiot swore out an affidavit that they used to justify the warrant! I had no recourse at all! I did some research, and found out that, by their own statistics they were successful in only about %49 of their raids. This means they have the right to smash down doors on %60 of households that aren't involved in any criminal activity with impunity. And of the other %40? How much you want to bet that most of that was small time stuff? Yeah, that's what we need to do... jump up and defend the actions of a police officer who's profiling and say, 'wait a minute, I'm sure there's a good explanation for this.' Apologists.
Terry Star21
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 2:14 a.m.
Thank you....a level headed person - finally !
girlhunter
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 1:07 a.m.
I am not screaming off with their heads.. My point is if this turns out to be true.. THen the tax payers are going to pay for the officials and police officers lawyers.. and if they did do what this young manis saying they did.. then they need to pay for their own defense! I am very interested to see how this all comes out.. I do not believe that the tax payers should pay for someones blatant stupidity!
Billy Bob Schwartz
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 12:21 a.m.
Amen.
girlhunter
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 11:25 p.m.
SO now on top of the city and county trying to cut expenses.. now the tax payers are going to pay to try a case.. based on a 19yr. old running from a bank.. I know this sounds bad.. But they need to paw for their own lawyers.. my point is .. if your gona be stupid.. you better be tough!!!Just my thoughts!!!!
Woman in Ypsilanti
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 4:02 p.m.
When a government body or a private company hires someone, they take responsibility for their actions to a certain degree and take on the risk of losing law suits if their employees make mistakes. If you want to prevent this from happening again, demand that the county fire this officer and work hard to identify the sorts of personalities who are likely to do this sort of thing and then not hire them.
cinnabar7071
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 11:21 p.m.
I dont see anything in this story to leads me to believe it was racist. I see a cop that saw something that raised his concern and he over reacted to the point that he needs to be fired. someone running from a bank, party store, even the police station would make stop and watch, wheather the person was white of black. I find it very odd that without addition information anyone can say this is racist
Woman in Ypsilanti
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 3:59 p.m.
White people run around Ypsilanti every day without incident. They call it jogging but whatever. Of course, without being a mind reader, no one can know for sure if race was an issue. But once you question why a police officer might find it suspicious to see a black man running down the street when they don't seem to have that reaction to white men running down the street, race does seem to be a likely factor.
Anthony Clark
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 12:13 a.m.
I wonder if the cop would have been equally "concerned" about a white woman running from a bank.
Berda Green
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 11:20 p.m.
hope he win his lawsuit ypsi police are going crazy
Billy Bob Schwartz
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 12:20 a.m.
If you are right and they are wrong, I hope you win. Otherwise, I hope you lose. It's just as racist to assume him to be right as it is to assume him to be wrong. How about we wait and see what the courts say. Of course, they will probably settle this out of court, don't you think?
Chandelle German
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 11:20 p.m.
So incredibly sad especially if this young man has never had issues with the law. I guess I would understand if he had past offenses but if so I would assume that he then would have known those cops regardless if they were in plain clothes or not. It is sad that a young man is doing his job and obviously a dedicated employee and is treated as such. Just wondering if it was me running from the bank to the employer if I would have been slammed through a window?
Mr. Ed
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 10:59 p.m.
Lee we are waiting for the police report on this one. It should be a good read. Lee did you FOIA the report? Was a report sent to the prosecutor's office for review?
DBH
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 12:44 a.m.
In my experience, Mr. Higgins does not respond to commenters' requests for more information.
trespass
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 10:56 p.m.
A major problem with this type of situation is that the law enforcement agencies are not open about internal investigations or discipline given to officers. If the public could see what facts the sheriff and Ypsi Police departments found in their intenal investigations and whether or not the officers were appropriately disciplined if necessary then lawsuits would probably not be necessary. Just look at how hard the Sheriff, Jerry Clayton, is working to keep a video hidden that triggered an internal investigation into whether or not a Sheriff's Commander of Police Services, Dieter Herron, may have stolen $20 from a car in the parking lot of the Ypsi twp (the identity is confirmed by township officials). We need to change the freedom of information law so that it does not exempt internal investigations of law enforcement officers. <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/news/crime/county-wont-return-surveillance-video-to-ypsilanti-township-following-sheriffs-department-internal-i/?cmpid=RSS_link_crime">http://www.annarbor.com/news/crime/county-wont-return-surveillance-video-to-ypsilanti-township-following-sheriffs-department-internal-i/?cmpid=RSS_link_crime</a>
Mr. Ed
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 10:54 p.m.
I would like to read the police report. Officer- I saw a guy running so I jumped from my car and yelled. I grabbed the guy and threw him into a window. Citizen- I was coming from the bank and this guy yelled so I slowed down and stopped. The guy grabbed me and assaulted me. Was a police report completed Higgins and did you complete the FOIA. I bet we are all waiting to read Stucks report on his good deeds for the day protecting us from people running down the sidewalks.
Mike
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 10:53 p.m.
Barney Fife needs to have his bullet revoked.
say it plain
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 10:47 p.m.
Are people really going to claim that a person is not allowed to run to/from a bank?! According to this article, the suit also alleges the police had seen the plaintiff sprinting around earlier and this raised their suspicion then. Who knows how much earlier. But they hadn't gotten new info about crimes happening in that area during the times they were watching this poor kid hurrying about in the course of doing his business, I'm guessing?! Maybe this is disputed, and the police are arguing that they *didn't* actually see him running around earlier as well?! Because to me, it makes it even *worse* looking for the police that they suddenly decided to, allegedly of course. push him hard into glass to stop him.
Terry Star21
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 10:20 p.m.
Most of these readers comments are going on a statement of a nineteen year old, with no comment yet from the police. I think judgement should be reserved until both sides have been interviewed with hopefully witness accounts. All though it is not impossible, I find it difficult to believe a police offer not identify themselves and slam a person through glass without resistance. On the other hand, walking out of a bank and taking off sprinting - seriously, come on seriously ?
KeepingItReal
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 3:49 p.m.
The reason you haven't heard a statement from the Police is because they are getting their story together so they will all be on the ssme page. I hope the young man get a big financial settlement from this.
jcj
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 3:34 p.m.
"I think judgement should be reserved until both sides have been interviewed with hopefully witness accounts." While you "think judgement should be reserved until both sides have been interviewed" YOU have already judged this kid! Looks like hypocrisy among other things to me. I almost always come down on the side of law enforcement, and in would look suspicious to see some one sprinting out of a bank. However you have no reason to question the integrity of this young man!
Bear
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 6:36 a.m.
So, what you are saying is that simply because he is 19 years old, he has no credibility? That's just stupid to begin with. How old are you? if you are 60 then maybe we should say that you might just be old and addled and we should wait for the officer's report as it probably will be MUCH more credible and believable than anything YOU say. Sprinting from a bank? Seriously? Sprinting from a store because you are late for work? Seriously? Sprinting from a restaurant? seriously? When has it become a crime to run? When? I would like to know? When does that justify the actions taken by the undercover deputies? Hey! He's running! He MUST have committed a CRIME! That type of logic is insane.
Basic Bob
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 3:56 a.m.
After all, a police officer's statement can always be trusted. Seriously....
clark
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 10:41 p.m.
Rich Kinsey, is that you?
philmar111
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 9:35 p.m.
They say things are not always what they seem. But, geez...this just reeks of law enforcement stupidity
Bear
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 6:44 a.m.
no, he's saying anything to justify his prejudice in favor of the officers involved. It's apparent that he's an apologist. He thinks that because he's 19, focused on his boss's needs and his customers needs, trying to do his job to the best of his ability, he should've been thinking, "hey, if I run from this bank, they'll think I robbed it." I don't have a bag of cash, I don't have a weapon, I don't have bank tellers pushing alarms and coming out of the bank hollering. I am a law abiding citizen doing my job. But first, I should be thinking, "Hey, I'm black, if I run cops will chase me, just because I ran from a bank, liquor store, party store, restaurant, private residence...." Yeah, I should spend my whole existence considering whether any of my actions might be like that of a criminal.... Because ol' Terry here is smarter than that. He's obviously been thinking that way his whole life. Never took a mis-step like that, nosirree! He's 19, that should automatically nullify his word, his story, anything about him. He should consider himself lucky they didn't shoot him. Yup, them officers was just doing what's best for everybody. They never make mistakes, they don't lie. They don't profile. Just some good ol' boys.
Mr. Ed
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 4:41 a.m.
Why not believe a 19 year old. Are you saying all 19 year old's lie.
Terry Star21
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 10:58 p.m.
Yep, we should all listen to and believe a 19 year old - who doesn't have enough smarts then to sprint out of bank. Seriously ?
Ron Granger
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 9:16 p.m.
Police vigilance is good, and I appreciate the desire to 'nip it in the bud!' but, golly.. This reminds me of a similar case in Seattle from about three years ago. Police looking for a fugitive chased an innocent cook who was in an alley having a smoke. The cook eventually gave up the chase and stopped running. The police did not stop. An officer charged into him at full speed, shoving him into a concrete wall. His head was smashed. He never regained consciousness. Witnesses disputed police accounts that they had identified themselves as police. I'm glad this case didn't go like that.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 9:10 p.m.
Oh, I don't know. I would say that it's a bad idea to *sprint from a bank.* I also would like to wait and see what comes of the lawsuit. My policy is never to sprint from a bank or a 7Eleven.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 3:45 p.m.
I don't run anywhere either. But I have quite a few white neighbors here in Ypsilanti who regularly go outside and run around town for no good reason other than to get some exercise. But I'll be sure to warn them than *running* in Ypsilanti is grounds for a police smack down.
jns131
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 2:30 p.m.
In Ypsi? You don't run period unless you are in your own neighborhood. But then if the neighbors don't recognize you? You will get the police called. This article does not surprise me in the lease.
Bear
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 6:47 a.m.
Or if you're billy bob....
say it plain
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 10:37 p.m.
you gotta be kidding me @Billy Bob...you *seriously* consider how it 'might look' if you're doing that?! I can think of times when I'd 'run' to the cash machine quite literally, because I wanted to get back to whatever I was doing when I realized I needed money. I think you only have to worry about it if you're black.
Ron Granger
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 9:17 p.m.
My policy is to never go to a bank or a 7Eleven. Especially in Ypsi. I use a credit union.
RTFM
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 9:03 p.m.
@annarbor.com Does the County or City of Ypsilanti have an official statement about this incident? I hope that an impartial organization is investigating this.
rusty shackelford
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 8:55 p.m.
Looks like we can add "running" and "doing your job" to the things it's dangerous to do while black. If these allegations are true (and let's remember, when the cops feel they can dispute the facts, they almost always do so to the press and at the same time try to smear the victim), these officers need to be disciplined, to say the least. And the people of Ypsilanti can thank them for a hefty legal tab, as well.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Mon, Nov 21, 2011 : 3:40 p.m.
This article did not in any way make it clear what the role of the Ypsilanti Police officers was in this incident. So right now, I would say that the people of Washtenaw County can thank them for a hefty legal tab.
YpsiVeteran
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 11:05 p.m.
There's not nearly enough information in this article to form any opinion about the incident. Was the kid previously known to the police? What were two plainclothes county deputies doing trolling on Michigan Ave. in the city? Was officer Schembri merely responding to a call for assistance from the deputies? If the situation is as the kid says it was, then it sounds like the city officer was only named in the suit because the city is another source of "deep pockets."
breadman
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 8:44 p.m.
This is called overrection with to much force... Just heading back from the local bank with some rolled coins , to serve his customers from his job..... What Police training course did they take...... I know it was not done in Jaskson CC....
oletroop
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 8:38 p.m.
OOPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ummmm......
Sun, Nov 20, 2011 : 9:44 p.m.
ummm ... i'd say ... a real big OOPS!!!