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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.
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Im sure he scared the kid half to death, which is better than him actually hurting the kid. Ive seen much worse police videos that actually showcase some brutality. This was mearly an over zealous officer doing his job and doing it well. So what if he cursed at him our even threatened him. I'm sure that kid hasn't had any discipline in his life quiet like that. I don't think the officer was in the wrong and I don't think he deservers to lose his job. The boy was roughed up a bit but it's his own fault for being arrested in the first place. To follow the logic displayed here the juvenile should have his charges dropped and be given the key to the city for his brave work in fighting police brutality.
I don't use that kind of language at my children. What gives anybody else the right to use it at them? Not professional at all. If you think that is how a cop is suppose to do his job then maybe that's why there are so many police brutality incidences in America today.
Unfortunately some policemen abuse their authority. The have a tough job but they are supposed to be trained to handle situations with restraint. Physical or verbal abuse should not be tolerated on any police force. I respect any law official until I have reason not to.
those who use profanity only succeed in showing everyone how ignorant they are.
This punk got everything he deserved. Now they have reinforced that he can resist arrest and maybe get away. These punk kids that resist arrest should be tased and beaten. Maybe then they would show some respect. I guarantee he is rehired after the union lawyers get this. Police HAVE to deal with these people that resist with extreme prejudice....who knows if they are going for the opfficers gun. Really no need to worry though....this punk will likely be in jail soon enough. I hope they are checking his immigration status....
I would say that being a cop is not what this (now former police officer) is cut out to be.
How about this for profanity... You ignorant f'n ni**er! You are a disgrace to the police force and out of a job. I hope you get what's coming to you.
Let's face it folks. Don't turn a blind eye to the color of the cop's skin. Had he been white, he would not have been fired. PLAIN AND SIMPLE. Next....
Police misconduct has reached critical mass. It is no longer the exception, but the rule. If you put on a Badge and swear to protect then that's what you do. When you have an attitude like this one, bad things happen. If you believe police should act with impunity and go unchecked, get your head examined.
..and if you're tired of taking out the trash, perhaps you should take change professions..as a cop with that kind of attitude you might qualify as janitor at the dump in Useless Texas..Euless.
Correction Ozzie.....SOCIETAL misconduct has reached critical mass. If people stop acting entitled and showed respect, the police would not have to escalate situations. It the Jesse Jackson's and Rev Al's pof the world that cry racism and police brutalityu when they should be kicking their own kids a$$es when they misbehave.
I do not believe that using bad language as a police officer is
grounds to fire him. I do agree that maybe he should get disciplined but fired? I think that is ridiculous especially when we have police officers who are actually using excessive force on the job and get a slap on the wrist.
The assistant chief is the first police official I've seen quoted ever expressing concern not for just the wrong actions, but for the negative reflection they cast on the entire profession. We need a lot more guys like him in charge.
So, let's see. A BLACK cop beating a Mexican teen. It's CLEARLY RACISM, where are Al Sharpton and Jesse Whatshisface? In case your a bigger moron than average, I am being sarcastic since anytime ANYTHING happens to a black person it's racist.
In all reality the Mexican kid probably had it coming. In the end the officer got fired for the right reason! I personally don't think he should have been though. It just empowers little delinquents. He should have SMASHED that dammn phone!
not exactly Hollywood. We all have a standard to uphold while in the public eye. What that cop did was not called for. he has done it before; he just got caught and was sooooo cocky that he felt nothing would happen to him. wrong.
It's sad isn't it, that now to protect ourselves from the very people hired to protect US, we have to carry video cameras with us 24/7. Otherwise, nobody would believe it when things like this and much, much worse happen. I know there are many good cops out there, I hear of and see them doing good things. It amazes me that they never seem to take a stand against the growing number of thugs wearing their uniforms, trampling the honor that used to be associated with that uniform and shield. It's sad as hell.
They don't because it the code never rat out a cop if your a cop. It aways been that way.
oddball - I have to disagree with you. Its true, that in times past, you have the back of your partner. But this day and age, more people are under the mindset that your partner is not going to pay your bills and you have a family to support. Officers are getting disciplined and terminated. Its not publicized..
There are several variables that have changed over the years with law enforcement. The protective values have changed within individuals. Its hard to find people to hire that can fulfill the expectations of the department let alone the citizens. How many nowadays have clean criminal records, good credit, and are willing to put themselves out there dealing with the dredge of society every day for 20-30 years? Are you willing to do it?
Too many people here complain about cops, but they wont put themselves into the shoes of the cop. Bad guys dont play nicely. They fight and kill, and cuss, and terrorize. Yet you will chastize this cop for cussing at this person? I dont condone his actions he did directly in front of the phone. I understand the cussing while involved in a fight with the bad guy. Do you think the kid is going to respond to "Please little man... stop trying to hurt me and put your hands behind your back and play nicely". Professionalism has its place in law enforcement. In the heat of a fight? no.
Think back when you were in a fight. Did you try to say please stop fighting with me?
Instead of complaining - join a police department and make your community a safer, better place to stay. If this kid had more butt woopin at home and enforced a family value of going to school, working hard and making yourself a better person who contibutes to society, maybe this kid would not have had a warrant for his arrest in the first place.
I take it you're implying that anyone with a warrant out for their arrest is guilty until proven innocent, and deserves whatever treatment they get in the process eh? I'm guessing you're a former, current or wannabe officer? It's blanket beliefs that all citizens are guilty of something that makes us deplore bad cops, not the environment in which they must work. It's also the fact, despite your ideal depiction, that good cops don't "rat out" the bad cops in their dept's. Ok, there's a token example here and there, but 99.9% of cops will never expose their bad coworkers. Come to Denver. We have monthly, if not weekly examples of such. And from what people in Chicago tell me endlessly, corruption is as rampant there as it every has been. It's a tip of the iceberg scenario Icepick. Just like cops know there is more bad guys behind every one they bust, there are just as many more bad cops behind every token one that gets caught. And their penalties are usually far less severe than the ones the average citizen gets, so yeah, we have some animosity towards these people. They're in a position of power and trust. When they abuse that power and trust, we want severe penalties imposed. Severe enough to discourage others from doing the same bad deeds. In life, if you destroy the trust of those around you, they can walk away and never have anything to do with you again. In law enforcement, a cop can ruin a persons life, cause extreme financial hardship and more on somebody who did nothing wrong, yet the cop typically goes on with his/her life as if they've done nothing wrong. That causes a friction where there should be trust. It's just the way it is pal, like it or not.
I have seen many cops smoking pot and I seen how there get the bust a kid let him go then smoke the pot I know a few that have done this. I also knew one the would seal it from the evidence locker at work. many cops are the bad guy these days. They feel they can get away with anything. I from TX and we see this all the time. it a police state.
Oddball - Judging by the way you just typed your last entry, it appears your high on pot right now.
Not really good to use vulgar language but I can see where the rush to help the other officer and dealing with a fighting teen would get your blood to pumping. I didnt see anything that was awful. Most people couldnt deal with peoples antics on a day to day basis.
the kid had cuffs on get real this cops a loser look at the way he look in to the cam.
Cuffs on? What video were you watching? The kid was flailing his arms around fighting the first officer.
So apparently it is okay for anyone being arrested for a crime to swear, spit, resist, or whatever else, but not okay for the police to use profanity. I don't condone it, but I don't feel that the officer should have been fired. I don't see use of excessive force it tackling the kid when one officer is having trouble subduing the kid. If anyone is to file a lawsuit it should be the officer for wrongful termination. I would like to see a handbook of police rules and regulations that says they aren't allowed to use profanity. Maybe it's in there, maybe not, but doubt the public will ever know.
Are you that much of and a---- he on the ground face down and cuff and the cop knee hin in the back of the head. what is wrong with you.
All you see is him jumping on the kid to get the cuffs on. I have watched it several times and don't see a knee to the head. Plus putting a knee in someones back is a way of restraining them and getting them under control. Even the police department said there was no excessive force, just bad language. What's wrong with you.
redviking518, "Even the police department said..." well, it's settled then! LOL
"Sometimes he needs to step back and see the big picture and risks involved"......that is until a kid gets his partners gun and kills a cop.
i dont think the cop needed to get fired. the kid was not beat up or anything profane laug. for being fired u cop proablely have a better case than the kid will the kid was resisting arrest and his mother still standing up for him the kid was a trouble maker and to see the boy will end up in prison because according to the mother and him he never does wrong and this kid end up the conn. or colombian killer because he never gets in trouble for anything. But after the cop got up and messed with the cam he was just showing off a little he did nothing but his job.
He hit him in the back of the head with is when he was cuff and on the ground the cop need to go.
I saw this video when it hit YouTube. The guy is a thug with a badge. There are bad cops... but most are good. Having a badge means you've sworn to protect the public. You don't belong to some elite group of enforcers that get to abuse and control without impunity. Get over yourselves!
These guys need to get weeded out and I think the Police forces in this country need to do a better job of screening these guys..
f***n idiot!
Hey Mr. 654! See ya around the unemployment line!
Reading over the majority of these comments, I have one question: What the hell happened to respecting authority? My entire life (60 years...) I have ALWAYS obeyed what a cop tells me to do. Luckily, it only applies to being pulled over for speeding, but I STILL keep my hands on the wheel in full sight of the officer, say "no/yes ma'am or sir". Kids today don't respect or listen to their parent(s), how can we expect them to listen/respect the law or anyone else (especially teachers)?
Absolutely! Show respect, get respect.
The article does not mention the lawsuit - you have to listen to the video. The last few seconds of the video states that the family is planning a lawsuit against the department.
Ok here is where I get lost. The teen was charged with resisting arrest. What was he being arrested for in the first place that lead to the resisting of arrest? It seems that he is only being charged with resisting. Why did they have contact with him in the first place to want to arrest him?
You actually had to click on the link of the police car camera video. It says the kid had a warrant for his arrest. The officer told him that he had a warrant for arrest. The kid refused to put the phone away and then when the officer attempted to arrest the kid (out of view of the camera) you see them wrestling on video.
First props to the mother for admitting your son is a thug. Second any mature adult should be able to express themselves effectively without using profanity. A police officer is someone you should look up to and admire. They are to Protect and Serve. He should be trained to handle situations in a more calm manner. You can tell his level of ego because if his last response at the recorder. So Judge Dredd. Calm down, take a vacation. Switch to decaf maybe the low sugar donuts. You are not part of the scared straight program. WIth his attitude it makes me wonder if his wife is one of those over controling honey do kind.
wonder what I meant? Honey do this, honey do that....
The police should be policing themselves and not letting another officer behave this way. This whole "we don't rat on each other" sucks! Policeman like this hurt the reputation of all police officers. Of which 99% are good cops I believe. You know who these loose cannons are. Do something about it!
How about parents police their own kids and teach them respect? Example...when I was a kid and got a bad grade....I was the responsible one for not studying hard enough. Today, the entitled parents say "my son/daugther is not the problem...it is the teacher"...when their kid is playing video games all day long.
I look forward to hearing that this officer gets back on the job and maybe cleans up the streets a little more. I see a lot of libtard justification on these posts....what a joke.
They agreed the kid should have been arrested. It's the way it was done. You want to live in a police state? Not Me! I don't want cops like this on the street.
I'll disagree...if we have more police officers like this maybe the natives will settle down and act accordingly. Think about if the officer on the ground was your brother and a kid was resisting and got his gun and killed him. The police MUST deal with this type of thing aggressively. The report says that this officer has beena model officer in all aspects of his job prior.