In Greeley, Colo., this month, two police officers reported a third officer to their supervisors, accusing him of using excessive force. That officer was removed from patrol duty and a criminal investigation was begun, and today it was announced that Officer Ken Amick has been charged with second degree assault, a Class 4 felony. He is currently on unpaid leave.
During an arrest on June 7, Amick handcuffed a suspect, a 36-year-old man. When the suspect became agitated and complained that the handcuffs were too tight, Amick applied a chokehold and forced the man to the ground. Another officer intervened and got the suspect to his feet, checking to see if he was okay.
A short while later the suspect grabbed at Amick, who kneed him several times in the leg and forced him to the ground.
(In June 2020 Colorado passed a law banning the use of chokeholds by police. Amick faces two to four years in prison and up to $500,000 in fines.)
Kudos to the Greeley Police Department and the officers who reported Amick. It’s time that police departments across the country clean their own houses and get rid of bad cops. It will go a long way toward restoring public confidence in law enforcement.
baby steps, but at least in the right direction
Yes.
There are always those who are not suited for the job they landed. Getting rid of the bad apples is difficult – and finding qualified suitable replacements is also going to be difficult for so many reasons. Glad someone was able to made the tough decision to intervene and start the process.
It would a positive if the general public also learned to cooperate with authorities if required and not elevate conflicts…which can trigger some individuals. But it’s summer – everyone’s hot, cranky from COVID isolation, and many are drunks or under the influence of something…even if only adrenaline?
Going to be a long hot summer.
There will always be bad actors in the public sector. That’s why we have police in the first place, and those officers need to know how to deal with them properly. Getting rid of bad cops shouldn’t be postponed just because there are no suitable replacements at the time. Maybe a shortage of good replacements is partly because they don’t want to work with bad cops or an organization that supports or condones them.