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A Texas police officer has been fired after he was recorded on video threatening a teen and using profane language.
Disraeli Arnold, an officer in Hurst, Texas, was recorded in November running to assist an officer as he subdued a teenager, ultimately kneeing the teen in the back of the head while yelling and threatening him.
The teen's mother, Kelly Pope, didn't object to her son being arrested, just the force used to take the teen into custody.
"He [her son] knows that he handled it badly at first, that he should have been a little more cooperative. But, you know, the second officer -- there was no reason for it," Pope said in November. "He (Arnold) comes up at a jolting sprint, kneed him in the back of the head and, as you can see on the video, he says, 'If you move I'm going to [expletive] kill you.'"
While the teen was in custody and being escorted to a police car, Arnold then paraded in front of the teen's friend, who was recording the arrest, and said, "You got it on tape? Arnold, 654!"
Using the video as evidence, the teen's mother filed a complaint with the Hurst Police Department that led to an internal affairs investigation. The mother said she hoped the officer would either turn in his badge or be fired.
Dashcam video released several days later showed the teen, prior to Arnold arriving at the scene, arguing with Officer Miguel Jimenez and resisting arrest -- a offense for which he was charged.
On Thursday, Hurst police said Arnold was "indefinitely suspended for violations of Hurst Police Department General Orders and Civil Service rules relating to his actions on Nov. 20, 2012" and "an internal affairs investigation was conducted for violations ... to include the unnecessary use of force, being disrespectful to a citizen, and the use of indecent, profane, or harsh language in the performance of official duties."
Despite Pope's claim of excessive force, the internal affairs investigation determined the amount of force used by Arnold was reasonable since he believed Jimenez was struggling to subdue the teen.
The investigation did find, however, that Arnold was disrespectful to a citizen and "used indecent, profane, and harsh language in the performance of his official duties, and conducted himself in a manner which brought discredit to himself and the Hurst Police Department."
"You can't help but be embarrassed -- not only for the officers that work in our department, but for anybody in the law enforcement profession," Hurst Assistant Chief Steve Niekamp said in November. "You just expect when an officer shows up, they're going to be in charge. You don't want the foul language, anything that looks like it might be overreaction. You just want to be professional, calm and in control of the scene."
Prior to the department's latest ruling, Arnold had been placed on administrative leave.
Arnold had been with the department for four years and, according to a performance assessment and disciplinary file released by Hurst police after the incident, he met or exceeded police standards in nearly every assessment. The document also noted in May, 2010, that "Officer Arnold's enthusiasm may make him overzealous at times, which can cloud his judgment when it comes to policy, procedure and tactics. Sometimes he needs to step back and see the big picture and risks involved."
Arnold has 10 days to appeal the termination.
NBC 5's Scott Gordon contributed to this report.
Leave a Comment:
Fired? Or put on administrative leave with full pay and benefits as usual?
That's what happens when you put a badge on an a**hole! The cop thinks he's god and can do whatever he wants! His attitude surely needs to be adjusted as he's on a power trip! Wonder what else he's done to citizens that has not been told yet? I hope he loses his appeal.
This police office should not be fired... A suspect was resisting arrest and struggling with a cop. If the 'victim' was a law abiding citizen none of this would have happened. Every action has consequences. In my opinion the officer should be written up and/or maybe suspended for a little while because of the profanity. Last time I heard, that was not against the law. He should not be fired!
Should not be fired? As the police chief said, "be professional, calm and in control of the scene". Looking at the video, this cop was the exact opposite. This is not a man that you want around your school, imagine his behavior had there been a fake weapon or the kid was older, bigger, and stronger? Dead.
And then the arrogance, getting into the camera and yelling his name and badge number, I saw that as "what are you going to do? Nothing will happen to me!". This is a cop that feels he is god and above anyone.
The union will appeal the firing and likely win claiming the agency did not offer anger management to the cop even though the cop went to an academy and was properly trained about how to control a situation and scene. Then this thug in a uniform will be carrying a gun once again.
I think the kid should have the book thrown at them in court, the video works both ways and what damages were there for a lawsuit? None that I could see. I think the compensation was enough for the cop being fired, however, since municipalities will not fight back, they will settle out of court, I just hope they do not agree to dropping the charges against the kid as part of the settlement.
you do know that there are no unions in Texas right.....
If you resist arrest, then you deserve to be threatened and kneed in the back of the head.
@JR987
You haven't had much experience with the cops I take it!
Let me get this straight. Knee to back of head pounding on the ground not excessive force?? Fired for profanity and disrespect to a citizen??? So a knee to the back of the head and pounding on the ground is not disrespect??
Don't worry. He"ll be reinstated by the Civil Service Board with full back pay and benefits. So this will amount to a paid vacation. Kind of makes you wonder why ALL cops don't act like this, not just most.
Bad cops are all over the place. Unfortunately, they effect how we see the entire force. Fight back Americans, I fought for your rights.
Maybe Mr. Arnold can team up with Jiggaboo Jones and create another video on Racist America?
All this hatred is going to eat our country to the bone!
Two different occupations at work. Law enforcement and law breakers. Better to be called a few names than to allow the lawbreaker access to the other officer's weapon. Then the discussion would be over the use of lethal force. If you are a lawbreaker and are always be caught, perhaps a change of occupations is in order.
l can't believe the number of people here who are sucking up to the police - this thug should be up for attempted murder - kneeing the kid in the back of the head - what part of broken neck/whiplash/paraplegic do you cretins have problem understanding? So he resisted the cop, OK, you get assistance, is still not a permit to threaten killing. How would you sucks like it if you were on the receiving end of the same thing?
Police in this country (and around the world) have a new arrogant attitude - they forget they are public SERVANTS, paid by your and my taxes. They are not God's superior, not a judge and jury - they are there purely to protect the citizens. You are seeing more and more cases of people taking on the police, just because of things like this.
Decent people wouldn';t be on the receiving end of the same thing as decent people aren't criminals like the kid.
You are right, just get rid of the police all together and I'm sure all the citizens would turn into models of civic responsibility. (Rolls eyes)
Sure Dr George... I wonder why the cop didn't buy him lunch.
@skibum609
That's the stupidest comment I've read so far! Do you really believe cops are perfect and never make mistakes? "Decent People" have been on the receiving end of this kind of behavior numerous times! I,ve seen housewives dragged out of a car by the hair with a gun stuck in their face. Do you think that's OK?
All of you sucking for the cops, try Googling, police, Gary Messenger. You will find a perfect eample of a bunch of drunk, out of control State Police assaulting and threatening a citizen with murder, then getting a mild slap on the wrist. Don't take my word, just look at the facts for once.
50 years ago, we were taught to respect and support the police. Now, after a life of experience, I would say that if you were looking for a criminal, you pull ten people at random off the street, pull ten police out of their cruisers, you are more likely to find the lawbreaker wearing a uniform.
So what does that mean for you? Start ignoring the police, fighting them, shooting at them, where do you draw the line?
He's black - Eric Holder will make them give his job back.
and probably give him some more guns.
I've been waiting and hoping this guy would be fired.
As stupid as people are, I'm still surprised some are sticking up for the guy.
It's not like all cops are bad, but this was a bad cop. Good riddance!
Ha! Ha! PIG
Family might win damages in the lawsuit of $1. The kid is a criminal and the violence justified. He has no damages as a result of the cop's stupid words. I'd like to congratulate Mom on raising a piece of filth, all in detriment to society.
@skibum609
OK genius, why don't you tell us all what this "criminal" is guilty of? I'd like to congratulate your mom for raising an idiot!
Woah WTH I just read the stupid article. The police thought this was an appropriate use of force?
Yeah you'd agree I guess watching this propaganda video!! Watch the original video on youtube the teen was subdued for a while before this @!$%# came out of the blue to drop a knee on his head.
I am glad,...one money collector less.....
looks like your average scraggly, skinny, 16-33 year old punk a** white boy thief to me. believe me, i own a convenient store. i know the profile very well .the cop should have busted him up a little more.
You need to stick to selling Slurpees!
If I knee someone in the back of the head, I'll be charged with felony assault bringing jail time (possibly years) and making me a felon for the rest of my life. He gets fired. It's no wonder cops think they're above the law because they are.
The cop even had the demeanor of a common street thug. Listen to the way he spoke, look at the way he tilted his head at the camera yelled his name & badge number like a gang set. He's not a professional, he's just a wanna be thug who passed a few tests & got a badge & gun. He's no better than the kid he helped arrest.
Just goes to show you that cops are regular people too, they're not appointed by god to protect & serve. Also, goes to show we need more stringent tests especially psychological tests before appointing someone to "Protect and Serve".
wait so the cop has no right to be human like the rest of us?
This kid did something that caused him to be arrested, He resisted that arrest and fought with the cop. back up came to save his fellow officer and was upset . not remembering for you liberals to be PC.
So he said some words. That kid taping should have also been arrested for not helping the police leting it continue.
So let the criminals do whatever they want. but have a cop choose the wrong words - fire him?
@MCQ12
So tell us, what did the kid do that caused him to be arrested? You don't know. You don't know if he really did anything. But the cops couldn't possibly be wrong. On TV the cops are always right, not so much in real life. Just so you know, I'm as far from being a liberal as it's possible to be! Misuse of authority is wrong regardless of political affiliation.
Old Dog... you may want to educate yourself before you open your mouth. The kid had a warrant for his arrest. That is why he was being arrested. He was charged with resisting arrest in the video incident. Now I will give you credit. The preschool authors of this article did not give great information as they wanted you to click on the in-car camera link. If you click on the other link, you will find out that the officer was attempting to arrest the punk for the warrant. The punk was informed about him having a warrant and then refused to allow the officer to handcuff him and THEN the wrestling and fighting took place.
OldDog47
Ok I saw him assaulting a police officer. does that count in your eyes????
Even if what he was being arrested for was questionable he had no right to assault the officer. In fact even the mom in this story said she had no problem with the arrest. That in of itself leads me to believe it was a good call by the officer.
Yours is a typical liberal response. ignore the facts. take this isolated case and try to merge it into a big police abuse conspiracy.
Tell me if this kid was being arrested for assaulting you would you be OK with the officer saying some choice words to him. Or would you want the cop to treat your attacker with high respect, give him a warning and let him go??
K9Icepick
Thank you for that.
I thought it would be something like that. This cop should have NEVER been fired.
I warrant for his arrest and the family has the nerve to be mad. Charge them with harboring a fugitive
Olddog47
Hate to break it to you but standing up for a criminal who does wrong and putting down a man doing his job to protect all of us is a liberal trait.
get your sign
OK, so far I've only heard of a mother and grandmother being involved. Once again are we dealing with the vanished father syndrome? Where's dad? An alarmingly high percent of the time when kids/young adults get into trouble, dad is not around helping the family, but has deserted them, etc. Hasn't anyone else noted this trend? Come on dads, step up to the plate and do your dad duty or as one woman said: "Man up!".
So, if this is a single mom/grandmom situation, then of course they are thinking of suing. They a desperate since their "man" has deserted them and so they will do what is available to survive. Our society has gotten really disgusting.
The Police Chief is weak and is the one who should be fired for making a dumb decision...unless he had it out for this guy...police officers stay on the job everyday for smashing people with their clubs or locking people up for no reason...for using profanity??? My goodness...this is like all the rule changes in the NFL...it's become a sissy sport...
From tough guy and professional bully to an international scumbag over night; youtube rules!
Wait, so this kid broke the law
this kid resisted arrest. FIGHTING with the officer.
The back up officer said some things in the heat of the moment defending his fellow police office from being assaulted while carrying out a arrest. that was not PC
The kids mom in this artical says she wasnt upset about the arrest
The friend instead of helping the police officer thinks its ok to just sit by and tape it????
SO
Because the responding officer was upset at this to and used bad language you think its OK to fire him???
Sure let bad guys do whatever they want. Let family's hire lawyers not only to get their criminal sons off but try to destroy a man who is doing his job life.... The criminal son you'll get off / rehab. but the cop crucify him
In freakin credible
I'm just thankful the Cop wasn't white because then you'd be blaming more that just a cop doing his job..
Never blame the criminal right?
Fired? A little harsh I'd say. Put him on foot patrol for a month and make him put a dollar in the swear jar for each profane word used.
MSgtDon
Hopefully the reason for termination wasn't based solely on this incident but based on a previous recurring history. Otherwise it will be difficult to get a competent person to do what's required in this field if they know that if they raise their voice at a perpetrator they will be terminated. This is not a controlled lab setting and thugs only respond to one thing, brute force.