I’m actually getting tired of talking about these stories, but I feel I should. Too often do we see the media jump to conclusions quickly, talk about subjects they don’t understand and use a short video clip to justify a full sensationalized news story. This is the case yet again with a video from Victoria of an incident that occurred three years ago.
The video is of a detention cell and a youth who was held in cells after being arrested while intoxicated and drunk at party. The video shows the youth having her legs restrained (with a hobble, not a leash as the reporter called it). I haven’t used my leg restraint yet, but would during instances which its necessary, including aggressive arrestees, regardless of their age. Also, why does the reporter seem that by taking parts of your clothing off is so offensive? Anything could be used against officers or the subject themselves, such as shoe laces, bra straps, belts, elastic waist bands, ad nauseum. To the reporter, Kathy Tomlinson: perhaps you should learn about regular police procedures and terminology first before attempting to sensationalize the incident. Also, why did you only include a short clip from the officer and then have a long story from the girl’s family?
After watching and reading about the story, I can’t help but wonder a few questions: Who released this video? Was it the plantiff in the civil case? For what reason? Due to the timing, it seems the reasoning behind the video release is not for ‘public awareness’ of what occurred, but to benefit somehow the civil suit which begins next week in court. Why did it take 3 years for this story to be released?
There is more to this story than we are lead to believe.
Tags: excessive force, media, risk management, sensationalization, Victoria, video
