critter
Rookie
- Banned
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"PORTSMOUTH An internal investigation into a formal complaint and accompanying "YouTube" video claiming excessive police force was used during an October arrest has determined officers acted appropriately in their handling of the woman being taken into custody.
Portsmouth Police Chief David "Lou" Ferland issued a statement on Monday indicating his department's completed inquiry showed "no police misconduct" in their handling of the Oct. 19 arrest of Siew Wang following a motor-vehicle stop.
"I found the officers utilized their training well and showed admirable restraint and professionalism," Ferland said.
Ferland asked a police captain in the department to review the incident after a city resident issued a formal complaint regarding the handling of Wang's arrest, which took place at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 19 near the junction of Middle Street and Middle Road.
Wang, 44, of 802 White Cedar Blvd., was pulled over for allegedly repeatedly honking her horn in a manner that police characterized as a "road rage" incident that violated city noise ordinances.
Police say the woman became "agitated" and failed to comply with officer demands that she provide her license and registration.
Police charged Wang with a Class A misdemeanor count of simple assault for hitting the officer's leg with her car door and with Class B misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and disobeying a police officer for her alleged refusal to be handcuffed and get into a cruiser.
Authorities say nobody was injured in the incident.
A portion of the arrest was witnessed by 23-year-old Portsmouth resident Ted Pennings who called 911 during the arrest to report what he believed constituted excessive force by responding officers. He followed-up by providing police with an approximate 400-word complaint.
Pennings said the officers were pushing Wang against a vehicle in what he believed was an "overwhelming use of force."
Pennings previously told Foster's Daily Democrat he used his cell phone to shoot video of the arrest, which he posted on the popular Internet site "YouTube" under the title: "Portsmouth Police stop and assault Asian woman."
The five-minute clip contains audio commentary from someone who can be heard shouting at police: "Why are you beating that person?"
An officer can be heard on the video shouting "stop fighting, stop resisting, you are under arrest ... stop resisting" as a woman is screaming.
Ferland viewed the video shortly after it was posted and said he saw no evidence of police wrongdoing, but said he launched an internal investigation as part of police protocol stemming from Pennings' formal complaint.
The chief said he wanted to know more about the situation leading up to the arrest and what took place.
Ferland's statement indicates the internal investigation included interviews of the officers, witnesses at the scene and "relevant physical evidence."
The chief said the investigation confirmed his original belief that the officer's actions did not warrant the "colorful commentary" exhibited throughout the YouTube video alleging police brutality.
"I now have the facts of the events leading up to the arrest, the arrest itself and the actions post arrest. I have completed my review and determined that there were no violations of law or police policy with the officers involved in any part of this arrest," Ferland said.
Wang is free on $10,000 personal recognizance bail and is awaiting arraignment in Portsmouth District Court later this month. "
this is great news women deserve to be arrested teh guy should know better.
Portsmouth Police Chief David "Lou" Ferland issued a statement on Monday indicating his department's completed inquiry showed "no police misconduct" in their handling of the Oct. 19 arrest of Siew Wang following a motor-vehicle stop.
"I found the officers utilized their training well and showed admirable restraint and professionalism," Ferland said.
Ferland asked a police captain in the department to review the incident after a city resident issued a formal complaint regarding the handling of Wang's arrest, which took place at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 19 near the junction of Middle Street and Middle Road.
Wang, 44, of 802 White Cedar Blvd., was pulled over for allegedly repeatedly honking her horn in a manner that police characterized as a "road rage" incident that violated city noise ordinances.
Police say the woman became "agitated" and failed to comply with officer demands that she provide her license and registration.
Police charged Wang with a Class A misdemeanor count of simple assault for hitting the officer's leg with her car door and with Class B misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and disobeying a police officer for her alleged refusal to be handcuffed and get into a cruiser.
Authorities say nobody was injured in the incident.
A portion of the arrest was witnessed by 23-year-old Portsmouth resident Ted Pennings who called 911 during the arrest to report what he believed constituted excessive force by responding officers. He followed-up by providing police with an approximate 400-word complaint.
Pennings said the officers were pushing Wang against a vehicle in what he believed was an "overwhelming use of force."
Pennings previously told Foster's Daily Democrat he used his cell phone to shoot video of the arrest, which he posted on the popular Internet site "YouTube" under the title: "Portsmouth Police stop and assault Asian woman."
The five-minute clip contains audio commentary from someone who can be heard shouting at police: "Why are you beating that person?"
An officer can be heard on the video shouting "stop fighting, stop resisting, you are under arrest ... stop resisting" as a woman is screaming.
Ferland viewed the video shortly after it was posted and said he saw no evidence of police wrongdoing, but said he launched an internal investigation as part of police protocol stemming from Pennings' formal complaint.
The chief said he wanted to know more about the situation leading up to the arrest and what took place.
Ferland's statement indicates the internal investigation included interviews of the officers, witnesses at the scene and "relevant physical evidence."
The chief said the investigation confirmed his original belief that the officer's actions did not warrant the "colorful commentary" exhibited throughout the YouTube video alleging police brutality.
"I now have the facts of the events leading up to the arrest, the arrest itself and the actions post arrest. I have completed my review and determined that there were no violations of law or police policy with the officers involved in any part of this arrest," Ferland said.
Wang is free on $10,000 personal recognizance bail and is awaiting arraignment in Portsmouth District Court later this month. "
this is great news women deserve to be arrested teh guy should know better.
