Richmond Police unleash their dogs on suspects about once every month on average, according to a new analysis of internal police records on the department’s use of force.
Here is a look at three of those violent arrests through the lens of police body-camera videos. For the full story click here.
(Note: To turn on closed captioning, click the “CC” button on the bottom right of the videos and choose “English CC.” The videos contain scenes that some viewers may find disturbing.)
VIDEO: “There’s a kid under here!”
SETTING THE SCENE: Richmond Police search for a suspected gang member who has fled from officers and barged into a neighbors’ apartment. The neighbors’ two young sons are asleep somewhere inside.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: When the suspect is discovered hiding under a bed, police dog Odin mistakenly attacks an officer, then the suspect and then an 8-year-old boy.
THE OUTCOME: The boy is treated for puncture wounds to his head; the officer for wounds to his arm. The suspect has a chest injury. Police accuse the suspect of using the boy as a human shield. An internal review supports the use of force, but recommends more joint training between gang and canine units.
VIDEO: “I give up!”
SETTING THE SCENE: A Richmond canine unit hunts for a hit-and-run suspect who police fear is armed and hiding near railroad tracks.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The suspect is heard trying to “give up” moments before and during police dog Odin’s attack.
THE OUTCOME: The suspect suffers dog bite wounds to his ankle. The officer says the dog and suspect were too far away to thwart the attack. An internal review approves the use of force and commends the officer for an “excellent job” communicating during the incident.
VIDEO: Without a warning
SETTING THE SCENE: A Richmond Police officer, waiting for backup, orders a suspect in a Home Depot burglary to lay on the ground.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: After repeatedly commanding the suspect to show his hands, the officer lets loose police dog Gunnar without warning.
THE OUTCOME: The suspect suffers wounds to arms, chest, neck and ear, requiring stitches. An internal review approves use of dog, but calls officer’s lack of audible warning a “serious offense” requiring additional training.
In a state with more than 115,000 officers, the city of Richmond stands as a case study in what communities can learn about their police’s use of force through Senate Bill 1421. Even some of the police department’s closest observers were surprised by what California’s transparency law uncovered here.
