Just got back from Jack Evans Police Headquarters for Chief David Brown's press conference accompanying the release of dash-cam video in which several officers assaulted Andrew Collins on September 5th. On the video, officers can be seen doing what Chief Brown called "making contact" with Collins -- kicking, punching and beating the man with a baton after chasing him at speeds of close to 60 mph through southeast Dallas, from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to South Lamar, and repeatedly bumping his cycle with their squad car. Collins initially failed to pull over after officers turned on their lights and sirens when they spotted Collins riding his cycle on a sidewalk.
DPD has recommended that the Dallas County District Attorney's Office charged three officers with felony tampering with physical evidence; in the video, which follows, two-year DPD veteran Henry Walter Duetsch can be seen and heard whistling while adjusting a dash-cam away from a view of the officers and Collins. DPD has also asked the DA's office to charge two other officers -- Paul Gregory Bauer and Kevin Ray Randolph, both hired in early 2009 -- with misdemeanor assault. Randolph was terminated today. Three more officers are restricted to desk duty during an ongoing investigation by Internal Affairs and the FBI.
In his comments, which followed Mayor Tom Leppert's thoughts on the subject earlier in the day, Chief Brown said he expected citizens of Dallas to "hold [him] accountable for ensuring that Dallas officers treat all citizens with fairness and compassion." Quoting principles from Sir Robert Peel, which were also sent to all DPD officers, Brown emphasized impartial service to the law and restraint with regard to physical force. The chief refused to answer questions about his personal, "raw emotion" response to the incident. Brown said repeatedly that he hopes citizens will follow his calm, measured approach: "I don't do raw emotion. It's never good for anyone, it really isn't."
The videos follow, as does the entirety of Chief Brown's statement to the media.
And the second video, in which you'll see Officer Deutsch adjust the dash cam.
Here are Chief Brown's prepared remarks:
Chief Brown's statement September 15, 2010
Dallas police investigators will recommend to the Dallas county District Attorney Dallas Police Officer Kevin Ray Randolph, hired 3/4/2009, be charged with Assault M/A, Official Oppression M/A, and Tampering with or Fabricating Physical Evidence F/3; Officer Randolph was terminated today for failing probation.
Dallas police investigators will recommend to the Dallas county District Attorney Dallas Police Officer Paul Gregory Bauer, hired 1/21/2009 be charged with Assault M/A, Official Oppression M/A, and Tampering with or Fabricating Physical Evidence F/3.
Dallas police investigators will recommend to the Dallas county District Attorney Dallas Police Officer Henry Walter Duetsch, hired 7/9/2008, be charged with Tampering with or Fabricating Physical Evidence F/3.
Officers on restricted duty: Police Officer Jeremy James Francis, hired 1/7/2009; Robert James Kamphouse, H/M/22, hired 1/21/2009; and Daniel Stephen Malouf W/M/27, hired 5/14/2008 will remain on desk duty until the Internal Affairs investigation is concluded. Other officers at the scene will be interview as well during the Internal Affairs investigation. In addition, the Federal Bureau of Investigation will conduct a concurrent investigation of this incident.
Every citizen deserves a measure of respect.
As Chief of police for the city of Dallas, I expect citizens to hold me accountable for insuring that Dallas officers treat all citizens with fairness and compassion.
No one is above the laws of this great country and I expect officers observing any of their peers violating the law or the department's rules to report those violations immediately.
No one incident should define the character, integrity, or leadership of the Dallas Police Department.
The public's trust and confidence in the Dallas Police Department cannot and will not be compromised by the misconduct of a few officers.
Sir Robert Peel, one of the men known as the Father of Modern policing stated, "the police are the public and the public are the police...."
Peelian principles:
1) The basic mission for which the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder.
2) The ability of the police to perform their duties is dependent upon the public approval of police actions.
3) Police must secure the willing co-operation of the public in voluntary observation of the law to be able to secure and maintain the respect of the public.
4) The degree of co-operation of the public that can be secured diminishes proportionately to the necessity of the use of physical force.
5) Police seek and preserve public favor not by catering to public opinion, but by constantly demonstrating absolute impartial service to the law.
6) Police use physical force to the extent necessary to secure observance of the law or to restore order only when the exercise of persuasion, advice, and warning is found to be insufficient.
7) Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent upon every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.
8) Police should always direct their action strictly towards their functions, and never appear to usurp the powers of the judiciary.
9) The test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder, not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with it.
Conclusion
I've been on the job as chief for five months, I've been a member of the police department for 27 years, and I was born and raised in this fine city.
I am appealing to the calmer voices of the community and the police department to examine the evidence in this case, and the department's investigative thoroughness and transparency.
I want you to consider the importance of the many great relationships the Police department has enjoyed over many years as you are making commentary about this incident today and in the days and weeks ahead.
Thank you
