yet another blog

Is it any wonder that the US is increasingly being perceived as a rogue and terrorist nation when its domestic policing leaves so much to be desired.

By chance I came across this video clip of a police officer in Hot Springs, Arkansas, arresting youngsters for, of all things, skateboarding! What completely amazed me wasn’t just the fact of their arrest, but the manner in which that was carried out. Watch for yourself…

embedded by Embedded Video

YouTube Direct Skateboarding in Hot Springs, AK

So completely bizarre did this seem to me that I was prompted to email the Chief of Police there. Here’s my message…

For the attn. of Chief of Police, Bobby Southard
641 Malvern Avenue Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901

Sir,

I’ve recently had the privilege of watching a video clip of a police officer arresting some skateboarding kids. As if that weren’t sufficiently ridiculous, I watched in complete amazement bordering on disbelief as this particular officer (probably twice the weight of each of the kids he attempted to arrest) forced them face-down on the ground, threatened to spray them, and handcuffed them.

I’m intrigued to know whether this is standard operating procedure for American police officers, or is it unique to your particular jurisdicton?

“Disproportionate response” is a phrase that springs to my mind; “over-reaction” is another; “abuse of office” yet a third.

If this is indeed standard operating procedure at grassroots level in your domestic law enforcement agencies it helps to explain so much about the exreme human rights abuses and blatant disregard for the Rule of Law demonstrated by your federal government.

Just thought you’d be interested to know that this officer’s despicable behaviour has attracted the avid attention of people as far away as here in the UK.

If anyone else fancies sending a message of greeting to the Chief of Police there, contact details are as follows:

Phone: (501) 321-6789
Fax: (501) 321-6708
Chief of Police, Bobby Southard
email: bsouthard@cityhs.net
641 Malvern Avenue Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901