When a cop punches a woman in the face and video shows how it all happened, that incident is definitely going to be looked at closely by a lot of people. In this case a Seattle police officer named Ian P. Walsh was caught on video as he punched a 17-year-old girl in the face, sparking outcry from community members, some who side with the girl, and some who side with the officer.
Officer Ian P. Walsh punches a 17-year-old girl in the face. (From komonews.com)
In the lead up to the incident, Officer Walsh stopped the girl and her friend, both 17, for jaywalking about 15 feet from a pedestrian overpass, according to komonews.com. In the video, neither girl appears to be cooperating with the officer. During a verbal argument, Girl 2 starts to walk away, but the officer grabs her and pushes her against the hood of his car. She gets up again and he grabs her arm.
Girl 1 jumps in and tries to separate the officer from the girl. She's pulled away by another unidentified subject, but eventually pushes her way between Officer Walsh and Girl 2. That's when the officer cocks his fist and punches Girl 1 in the face.
As the officer attempts to subdue the two girls, he is beset on all sides by bystanders watching, telling him to stop and recording his actions on cell phones.
The video has sparked a debate in Internet comments, with some arguing that the officer was justified in his actions because it was a dangerous situation and the girls weren't listening to him. Others argue that it was a completely unnecessary use of force and that the officer should be punished for punching a female minor in the face for something as harmless as jaywalking.
According to komonews.com, both teens were cited for jaywalking. Girl 2 was booked into the King County Jail for investigation of obstructing an officer while Girl 1 was booked into the Youth Service Center for investigation of assault on an officer.
Officer Ian P. Walsh punches a 17-year-old girl in the face. (From komonews.com)In the lead up to the incident, Officer Walsh stopped the girl and her friend, both 17, for jaywalking about 15 feet from a pedestrian overpass, according to komonews.com. In the video, neither girl appears to be cooperating with the officer. During a verbal argument, Girl 2 starts to walk away, but the officer grabs her and pushes her against the hood of his car. She gets up again and he grabs her arm.
Girl 1 jumps in and tries to separate the officer from the girl. She's pulled away by another unidentified subject, but eventually pushes her way between Officer Walsh and Girl 2. That's when the officer cocks his fist and punches Girl 1 in the face.
As the officer attempts to subdue the two girls, he is beset on all sides by bystanders watching, telling him to stop and recording his actions on cell phones.
The video has sparked a debate in Internet comments, with some arguing that the officer was justified in his actions because it was a dangerous situation and the girls weren't listening to him. Others argue that it was a completely unnecessary use of force and that the officer should be punished for punching a female minor in the face for something as harmless as jaywalking.
According to komonews.com, both teens were cited for jaywalking. Girl 2 was booked into the King County Jail for investigation of obstructing an officer while Girl 1 was booked into the Youth Service Center for investigation of assault on an officer.
See the video here, or see still pictures below.
Cop Ian Walsh arresting a 17 year old woman.
Seattle Policeman Ian Walsh.
Arresting officer Ian Walsh struggling with the suspect.
Officer Ian Walsh handcuffs the girl.
Cop Ian Walsh arresting a 17 year old woman.
Seattle Policeman Ian Walsh.
Arresting officer Ian Walsh struggling with the suspect.
Officer Ian Walsh handcuffs the girl.
Overview
When a cop punches a woman in the face and video shows how it all happened, that incident is definitely going to be looked at closely by a lot of people. That's exactly what happened when Seattle police officer Ian P. Walsh resorted to force in June 2010.
Seattle cop who punches the woman
Officer Ian Walsh
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