OPINION — Body-worn camera videos and surveillance footage of the July 19 incident on Mill Avenue tell a far different story than the snippet of video posted to Facebook.
Tempe officers responded quickly to multiple men involved in an altercation. The officers’ attempts to separate the individuals and control this fluid scene were impeded by a female friend of two of the men.
An officer moved the woman away from the arrest in progress and ordered her more than once to, “Get back.” When she crowded in, the officer pushed her with moderate force. She again crowded to within a foot of the officers at work. The officer then pushed her with what appears to be an appropriate level of force to use on someone who has refused multiple commands.
