Texas police apologise for horseback officers leading black man by rope

[Tony Montana]

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/660/cpsprodpb/1096F/production/_108215976_06xp-galveston1-superjumbo.jpg
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 :facepalm:
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.]

[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

[bots]

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

[Twosugars]

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]

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.:fist:
How could anybody even think that this is acceptable.

[Kizzy]

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

[Jake.]

****ing backwards

[rusticgal]

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.

[Crimson Dynamo]

How are you supposed to secure a suspect on horseback?

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

[user104658]

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]

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!

[bots]

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.]

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.

[Crimson Dynamo]

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]

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?

[Crimson Dynamo]

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

if it stops a dangerous criminal getting away then use whatever you can

[Niamh.]

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

Exactly

[Niamh.]

if it stops a dangerous criminal getting away then use whatever you can

:rolleyes:

[Jigs]

Makes my stomach turn how they could humiliate him like that

[Beso]

That image is abhorrent, but people really need to stop highlighting the past if we are to move forward as one..no way this image would have made the news if that criminal was white...so imo...the only thing the uproar about this has caused is more division at a time we all need to come together....

On a foot note...Police on horseback here either drag you along by the hair or the scruff of the neck until a car comes along.

[Vicky.]

There is really no excuse for this. 'Training' to be had? Nah, no reasonable person would need training not to do this, should be fired IMO.

[Nicky91]

Makes my stomach turn how they could humiliate him like that

true, handcuffs and just plenty of police officers escorting him to jail in police cars would be more appropriate

[Twosugars]

true, handcuffs and just plenty of police officers escorting him to jail in police cars would be more appropriate

This pic Nicky, is how KKK used to lead blacks to the noose

[Crimson Dynamo]

This pic Nicky, is how KKK used to lead blacks to the noose

no it isnt its a picture of a mounted policeman arresting a criminal

[Twosugars]

I wonder how many policemen are also members of KKK and other far right organisations?

[Beso]

I wonder how many policemen are also members of KKK and other far right organisations?

A large influx of Cuban criminals joined the police force when thier entry laws were relaxed.

[Ammi]

Black man led by mounted police while bound with a rope sues Texas city for $1 million...


A Black man who was led by mounted police down a Texas street while bound with a rope last year is suing the city and its police department for $1 million, court documents show.

In August 2019, Donald Neely was arrested on criminal trespass charges in Galveston, just outside of Houston. Images and video of his arrest, during which two white police officers led him down the street handcuffed with a rope tied to their horses, sparked outrage.

A petition filed this week in Galveston County's district court called the officers' conduct "extreme and outrageous" and claimed that it caused Neely injury, emotional distress and mental anguish.

"Neely suffered from handcuff abrasions, suffered from the heat, and suffered from embarrassment, humiliation and fear as he was led by rope and mounted officers down the city street," the lawsuit claims.

The lawsuit charges that the arresting officers should have realized that Neely "being led with a rope and by mounted officers down a city street as though he was a slave, would find this contact offensive."

The lawsuit is also alleging malicious prosecution over Neely's criminal trespass charge, which was ultimately dismissed in court.

MORE: No criminal investigation for Texas police who led a black man by a rope through streets

A Galveston spokesperson told ABC News the city does not comment on pending litigation.

A status conference is currently scheduled for Jan. 7, 2021. Neely is demanding a trial by jury, court records show.

...full article...

https://uk.yahoo.com/news/black-man-led-mounted-police-221805202.html

[arista]

"Sues Texas city for $1 million..."


Yes possible to win that case.

[Ammi]

...:laugh:..it’s good that you think so, Arista...you are most wise, it is indeed possible to win the case...

[Swan]

Yeah $1m seems reasonable for sure, i like his chances tbh.

[Niamh.]

Good for him, I hope he wins

[Tom4784]

He deserves every penny and more, the people who did that to him should have been sacked, it's an outrageous lack of common sense for a person of authority to think that doing what they did to this man would be acceptable.

[Mitchell]

Best of luck to him, thoroughly deserves it, absolutely disgusting.