[Tony Montana]

Texas police have apologised after an image of two white officers on horseback leading a handcuffed black man by a rope caused an outcry online.

Galveston Police Chief Vernon Hale said on Monday the technique was acceptable in some scenarios, but that "officers showed poor judgment in this instance".

He said there was no "malicious intent" and has changed department policy to "prevent the use of this technique".

Many people on social media said the photo evoked images of the slavery era.

According to a news release from the Galveston Police Department, the two mounted officers, named only as P Brosch and A Smith, arrested Donald Neely for criminal trespass.

The officers were taking Mr Neely to a police staging area. Police clarified that he was not tied with the rope, but "was handcuffed and a line was clipped to the handcuffs".

The department added: "We understand the negative perception of this action and believe it is most appropriate to cease the use of this technique."
Mr Hale apologised to Mr Neely for the "unnecessary embarrassment".

He added the officers "could have waited for a transport unit at the location of the arrest".

"We have immediately changed the policy to prevent the use of this technique and will review all mounted training and procedures for more appropriate methods," the police chief said.

Mr Neely is free on bond but could not be reached for comment, the Houston Chronicle reported.
Leon Phillips, director of the Galveston County Coalition for Justice, told the BBC the image that went viral on social media was taken by an individual who wished to remain anonymous.

Mr Phillips said the incident is "difficult to talk about" as a Galveston resident.

"This was a stupid mistake," he said. "What I do know is that if it was a white man, there's no way they would have done that to him."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-49253691

This sickening and absolutely disgraceful.

[Twosugars]

Jesus wept
KKK would be proud of them

[Cherie]

Jesus that is shocking

[Tom4784]

Given that they could have waited for a car, I can't help but feel this was an intentional show of racism by the officers. Anyone who wasn't would have seen the problem with escorting a black man like that in a second.

[arista]

[Mr Neely is a mentally ill individual, and officers should have waited regardless of how long it took a vehicle to arrive, since "it's not as if they're getting paid by the arrest".]


Wrong Dept.

[Mystic Mock]

I thought that this was a joke when reading the title.

Jesus Christ at this actually being real, hopefully the officers involved get the sack.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by arista

[Mr Neely is a mentally ill individual, and officers should have waited regardless of how long it took a vehicle to arrive, since "it's not as if they're getting paid by the arrest".]


Wrong Dept.

That makes it even worse, poor man

[bitontheslide]

it's just WRONG, apparently the officers are going on a training course and their procedures are being revised

[Twosugars]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

it's just WRONG, apparently the officers are going on a training course and their procedures are being revised

Youd think something like that should have been done ages ago

[Ramsay]

Makes ya sick

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

it's just WRONG, apparently the officers are going on a training course and their procedures are being revised

It is hard to believe anyone, anywhere would need any training to know that leading anyone by a rope is acceptable

[smudgie]

Unbelievable, what a ruddy disgrace.
How could anybody even think that this is acceptable.

[Kizzy]

What the actual eff?.... a training course? !!!

[Jake.]

****ing backwards

[rusticgal]

Originally Posted by Tony Montana

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-49253691

This sickening and absolutely disgraceful.

I couldnt agree more.

[Josy]

Galveston Police Chief Vernon Hale said on Monday the technique was acceptable in some scenarios

Got this far....

Completely unacceptable fullstop. Backwards bastards.

[LeatherTrumpet]

How are you supposed to secure a suspect on horseback?

Looks like trial by image by persons who have no knowledge of the situation.

[Toy Soldier]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

How are you supposed to secure a suspect on horseback?

Wait for transport.

Also the police service there have - to their credit - said that the practice will stop immediately so they must believe there are plenty of viable alternatives. There are mounted police all across the world and I've not heard of them dragging people around with ropes in the modern world.

[Ammi]

...not something I ever thought I’d see in a lifetime...not only horrendous for him, but for anyone there witnessing it...

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

How are you supposed to secure a suspect on horseback?

Looks like trial by image by persons who have no knowledge of the situation.

this begs the question how far was the guy being walked, if a short distance then one of the officers could have got off and escorted him on foot himself? and if its a long distance then they should have waited for car!

[bitontheslide]

They shouldn't be detaining someone if they do not have the correct tools to do the job.

The fact that they had a rope for such purpose should be a big red flag, also the excuse that the rope was tied to the handcuffs and not the person should be another red flag. This is obviously common practice with them.

[joeysteele]

It is disgraceful.

Unbelievable to think it could take place there.

Surely universal condemnation should be the only response to this.
Indefensible in any shape or form.

[Cal.]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

How are you supposed to secure a suspect on horseback?

Looks like trial by image by persons who have no knowledge of the situation.

Wait for a car?

This is so backwards.

[LeatherTrumpet]

Originally Posted by Cherie

this begs the question how far was the guy being walked, if a short distance then one of the officers could have got off and escorted him on foot himself? and if its a long distance then they should have waited for car!

this is why no one should be judge and jury on some picture

just internet/social media hysteria

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

this is why no one should be judge and jury on some picture

just internet/social media hysteria

I don't think anyone should be dragged around on a rope and that is what the picture shows?