El Monte officer kicks suspect in the head after he surrenders [Updated]

TV news footage shows an El Monte police officer kicking a car chase suspect in the head after the suspect appears to surrender.

Video from Fox 11 News showed the incident at the end of a car chase that wound through the San Gabriel Valley earlier this afternoon, ending in a collision in Pico Rivera. The suspect jumped out of his car and ran. He eventually stopped and dropped to the ground on his stomach, with his hands flat to the ground and above his head. The officer ran up to him and kicked him on the side of the head.

Lt. Chuck Carlson of the El Monte Police Department said his officers made the arrest, and the internal affairs department is investigating the incident.

Carlson said internal affairs will review video of the incident and also take statements from officers.

The suspect is a 20-year-old man who was on parole. He was taken to Greater El Monte Hospital. But it's unclear whether his injuries were sustained by an earlier car crash or from the blow to the head.

The officer appears to high-five another officer after the suspect is cuffed.

[Updated: 4:50 p.m.: Carlson identified the suspect as Richard Rodriguez, 23, of El Monte. He said Rodriguez is a member of the El Monte Flores street gang and had been released from state prison in January. He was wanted for a parole violation, but it's unclear if that led to the chase. Check out video from KNBC 4 below.]

--Ari B. Bloomekatz and Andrew Blankstein

Image: KNBC 4 News

Comments

[Eric]

Here goes a multi million lawsuit for El Monte. Say goodbye to your career idiot cop.

[calbax]

He deserved the kick for what he did!

[substudio]

It didn't look like a case of police brutality to me.

regardless of what the news chopper has shown, people have to realize how dangerous a suspect can become when risking the lives of others in a high speed pursuit.

in the officers defense i don't think he meant to inflict any harm on the suspect. a situation this dangerous can be quite an adrenaline rush when you're in a position to apprehend someone who has evaded from law enforcement.

[FP]

Good, he deserved it!

[Jeff]

I guess he did not listen when the cop said "turn your head and look away from me."

[Lefty]

I'm so sick of the police getting the bad rap in situations like this. If the idiot hadn't run in the first place, after leading police on a high speed chase, none of this would have happened. Break the law, pay the price. Why doesn't the story even mention what an idiot the 'suspect' was?

[Kevin]

How hard was the kick? Was it just a little thump to let the criminal know that he shouldn't try any more tricks? After all, he had just led a dangerous pursuit on the road, then ran on foot.

[Nolan]

Cops are paid to control their temper. The guy deserved it? You people are the reason police brutality continues, because when people like you end up on juries you never hold them accountable. Why am I even typing this. You'll never understand.

[KK]

Who wants to a cop anymore. Bad guys are like hero.

[James Ding]

Police brutality at its best.

[Very simple]

That idiot is lucky he did not get shot. I am so sick of these moronic car chases. I am glad he got kicked. Actually, that idiot should have been kicked harder!

[Ashley]

What's wrong with mostly everyone on here? Look the guy broke the law therefore he deserves to get arrested..go to jail etc. but no one deserves to be assaulted ie kicked in the head or anything else. The only reason people make statements like that is because its not them or their family member. The price for breaking the law is going to jail not assault @ Lefty

[Howard]

What's worth kicking once, is worth kicking twice!!! good job!

[Jeff]

No one deserves to be kicked in the head like that.

One cop whose job goes down the drain over losing his cool.

At least they did not shoot him and claim self-defense.

High Fives indeed?

[veteran2005]

The suspect looks hispanic (or white).
Under our CALIFORNIA laws, It was OK to do it.
Mexicans and whites DO NOT HAVE civil rigths.
The jury is going to say " IT WAS JUSTIFIED".
-----------
If the Suspect was BLACK, it was a future LAWSUIT.
The incident was a HATE CRIME .
Our NEWS MEDIA who film the incident, make Millions if the suspect is Black.
If the suspect is Mexican or White, our News Media do
not make too much publicity.
----------------
The Atorneys do not want to represent a White or Mexican on a
California Court and win a case.

[Eddiguardo]

For a more even keel conversation about the incident, and hundreds of others like it, check out PhotographyIsNotaCrime.Org.

We're not worried about Big Brother watching us because we're watching Big Brother.

[theecount]

Seriously, if your blood was as pumped as that cops was during this chase then you would realize that the perp is gonna get thumped in some fashion. It's human nature to want to do that after risking the lives of so many innocent people and the police by running...

[Gmo]

Nice kick! Dude should play soccer!

[Ryan L.]

HI FIVE! You just lost your job copper. Hope your family and buddies think you are cool now...

[James]

That cop needs to be fired. There is no excuse for what he did and anything short of a firing would be a disgrace.

[Tony]

Kick him again. You start a chase and endanger lives you deserve a kick in the head.

[RYAN]

Wow that's messed up. That cops a punk. Not only did he kick him in the head, he did it from the crown and not from the side. With enough force it can cause spinal injury and possible paralysis. Dude probably deserved it but it's NOT up to the officer punish him. Especially after undoubtedly surrendering. ANNNNND the other officer with the billy club? What's up with that. Those dudes are jerks and MOST cops are just LOSERS that used to bully and be knuckeheads in high school.

That's guy's getting paid.

[c]

Excessive force in effect...suspect was not resisting arrest at that time. Officer should read his policy and procedure manual. OOooops

[Jeff Hepler]

I dunno...looking at it slow mo....looks like the officer slipped and while he was regaining his footing the suspects head was in the way. Maybe next time dude will not run from the cops.

[WATCH!!!!]

WATCH!!!! how the cop with the dog grabs the perps leg, almost as if he's trying to get the dog to bite. It's right before camera cuts to the high five.

[Cassandra Washingtonre]

Who made this cop the judge? He should be fired and the other officer should be disciplined if he didn't report this guy kicking the man in the head.

[USABubba]

TO VETERAN2005.. what blacks are you talking about?? I personally know of a many black Americans who were victims of ROGUE police activity like this and otherwise, but never got JUSTICE.

[Chad]

He was driving the wrong way down a street -- not to mention whatever other heinous things this punk did. He's glad he just got a kick in the head.

I'm sure all of you po-lice haters wouldn't be saying a peep if he crashed into a minivan full of kids!

[m]

Did anyone else notice how the gangbanger turns his head as soon as the cop approached, facing the cop? I interpret that as a threatening move to the police officer, especially as the police officer and the gangbanger were one on one at that point.

[OfficerWhite]

I don't see a kick. The perp obviously assaulted the officer by using his face as a deadly weapon, striking the officer's foot once.

[G]

I would rather get waterboarded than kicked in the head!

[Edward]

What about the persons car he hit who’s going to pay for the damage, the criminal on parole, yeah sure.

What about all the lives he endangered because he didn’t want to go back to jail or prison. I don’t know about any of you but what if he hurt or killed some YOU LOVED how would you really feel. Sympathetic come on.

[Roger Krueger]

I feel bad for the cop, you get all ramped up on adrenaline and anger and then have to instantly shut it down. But the extraordinary power we give officers comes with extraordinary expectations. You can't keep your emotions under control better than this you need to be in a different line of work.

I mean, I might support a law that allows a cop to give some scumbag a good hard kick after a chase. But that's not the law now. Cops who flout the law they're hired to enforce need to go.

[Daniel Lion]

nice! Hero cop dispenses instant justice, saving tax payer great deal of money. Who needs a parliament or judiciary when well trained police officers are all in one? In fact why not declare fascism and do away with lawyers, elections and all that nonsense? Just eat, drink, fornicate and watch cops kick and kill on TV. aaaahhh the good life. Welcome to C A L I F O R N I A .

[David Reynolds]

I laugh at these people who keep talking about this cop getting fired or in some other kind of trouble. THAT NEVER HAPPENS! They wouldn't do this stuff it they thought some kind of discipline could happen. As soon as the media stops reporting on this incident, it will be like it never happened.

[Fabricio]

The police should have some sort of insurance to cover this situations. Now if this homie decides to suit where is that money going to come from? Officers should have to pay this themselves through an automatic deduction from their checks. He kicked him... Why do I have to pay?

[GM Owner]

Anyone know what happened to the chase that was going on at 12:40 this afternoon involving a red Dodge Ram quad cab truck on the 57 fwy S? Supposedly the perp was a murder suspect and it got a little air time on KCAL9, but since this EMF garbage was a parole violator, he gets more ink? Hmmm, old west justice was served if you ask me. The idiot's face turned into the cop's foot saving the taxpayers $$. Oh, I just remembered, the ACLU and MALDEF will get involved because his "rights" were violated. I'm sorry but he lost his 'rights' when he was sent to PRISON, released and violated the terms of the parole. He got his just reward, like I said, Old West Justice!

[mark]

It is the un-American haters who don't understand that we are a country of laws and that applies to the police as well.

The people who do not understand that it is illegal for police to dispense street need to become better Americans by reading the constitution and better understang the values that this country are founded upon.

The cop should be arrested.

[Dave]

Watching suspect try to get away made my skin. It's obvious he has no regard for others or their property,

The police were following procedure untill one officer went overboard. The video is a great training video...there are so many things the officer did wrong,..from his approach of the suspect once he went down...the officer is lucky he idn't get himself killed. He had no idea if the suspect had a gun when he approached him like some kind of manch man.

He was palyed like a fool.

[Back the Badge]

Good job officers. Thanks for getting this violent criminal off the streets. If you don't want to get kicked in the head folks, don't act like an animal.

[WEST ADAMS]

DAMN THIS COP WAS PROBABLY A ROOKIE.... ALL COPS KNOW YOU HIT THE SUSPECT AFTER YOU GET THEM BACK TO LOCK UP. OUT OF SIGHT AND OUT OF MIND OF THE PUBLIC.. THATS HOW LA COUNTY SHERIFFS , AND LAPD DO IT. THEY NEED TO LEARN THAT WHAT HAPPENS BEHIND THE WALLS STAYS THERE. AAHHH ROOKIE MISTAKE. AND DONT SAY IT DOESNT HAPPEN.. CAUSE IT DOES.

[Randy]

Okay a dirtbag gang member got kicked, who gives a rats...
lets take a look at what gang members do and the families they leave in sorrow.

I say let the Dog go for him the next time!!

[Ken M]

You guys who suggest falsifying what occurred.....you must have loved the OJ aquital, mainly caused by police lying. You want your public officials to lie?

You guys who say that the officer saved money....the police department is now going to have to investigate, and that ain't cheap. There may be lawsuits. The guy may be able to use the abuse to get off, or get a reduced sentence.

It looked to me like the officers were trying to provoke a reponse that would have justified a shooting. That makes the officer an attempted murderer. This is who you want to have the power of life and death over you?

[Dave]

Parts of El Monte can be very dangerous but they have a very good Police department. It unfortunate this officer acted in this way...who knows what was going thru his mind at that time...that's when his training was supposed to kick in. My question goes to the brass...why do these things keep happening? Are the gang members smarter then the Police...you have to wonder sometimes.

When a Captain, Cheif or judge reviews this video just what are they suppose to think?

[angelino]

How can any juror trust anything any police officer says? If the TV station hadn't been taping this horrible incident, the cop would have gotten away with this. This one (extremely bad) cop is very seriously affecting the credibility of all LEOs.

[Oscar]

Something needs to be done. Kicking somebody in the head can lead to death. In this case the officers life was not in danger. There was no reason to use that type of force. The suspect was clearly down and not a danger. The police officer got caught doing something awful and he must pay the price.

[Appalled]

The perp is a scumbag, no doubt. He should be charged with many, many counts of many, many things. That being said, the cop is not supposed to dispense punishment. Period. The kick to the head makes the cop a criminal -- the worse kind: under color of law.

[Brian C.]

Good job by the officers. We wouldn't have such a high crime rate if the police officers hands weren't tied behind their backs. Out manned and out gunned. The police need to be able to kick these punks heads in more often.

[Paul Martinet]

gooooooooooooooooollllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllldddddddddddddd, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold.

[no sanctuary]

Unfortunately that one moment of impulse by the cop will mean a huge jury award of tax $ to the gang criminal, probably more than he would have made in his lifetime.

[Larry Robinson]

Sadly this type of activity and mental makeup comes all too often from those given positions of trust and responsibility in our Police forces throughout the nation as a whole. It has even been clearly established that similar abuses come from those in our military.
The point is NOT that the suspect may deserve worse or less but that those given such trust have the lack of mental and moral makeup in themselves as 'people' and especially as they have been 'trained' to react properly in such situations...
It is all too true that humans from ancient times into the time of Hitler and even today all around us are those who have a lack of self-dignity, moral, and responsibility to to what is right and that which elevayes us above all other creatures.
I know from observation and other means that there are many a police agency in Southern California with officers and deputies that perform admirably and with pride not only in the eyes of the community but of their own consciences also, but there are also a great number of same who will abuse their authority in so many ways not even seen by others aside from those victims and themselves...These range fromoffivers/deputies on the streets to correctional officers in the jails and prisons.
The saddest thing is not only the 'victims side in thes but even more so the shame and depravity of those committing such abuses. Truely those are no better or different IN FACT than the men and women who committed similar atrocities and abuses in the camps of Hitlers Germany in WW2. The only thing lacking for such to be done again is the opportunity and situation as we have the people all around us all the time who would be so debased as to repeat...The evidence is here in this case and seen often, though remains unseen even more often.
Sad...

[Wait...]

I didn't see a guy getting kicked in the head. I saw a cop trying to knock a suspect's hat off his head so he could see his face and identify him.

We're seeing footage from a chopper from several hundred feet up. Not sure how any real decision can be made to what anyone saw.

Honestly, the cops could've shot them in the head as soon as they got a clear area on the highway.

[Bret Miyashiro]

I reaalllly reaaalllly hope this officer is punished for his actions. What he did is completely unacceptable and consequences need to follow. Now if this suspect was fighting back and not surrendering maybe a kick was necessary to bring him down but he was clearly surrendered for a solid 4 seconds on the ground. I was waiting in a dentist waiting room when i saw this take place and i was so shocked at what i saw and the reporter was just as shocked and didn't even know what to say. I'm sick of law 'enforcement' officers doing whatever they want whenever they want there is a complete unbalance of power here and that is completely unconstitutional!

[Nat]

So sad.
It could have been a good ending to a bad situation.
But, an overzealous police officer runs the risk of causing major brain damage to a future ward of the state. Think of the money we are going to waste on the settlement and the housing of this piece of work (cop & criminal both).
There was no need for that sort of escalation.
Not a good day all around.

[Bob NH]

Cops are given special training in arrogance, intimidation, and abuse. Just imagine how much of this they got away with before there were a lot video cameras to catch a few of them. In those days they all got away with it because their word was always credible compared to the poor guy that was abused.

[tacojones]

I'm glad he kicked him... the only thing these dummies understand is brutality.

[David Whitehead]

DISGRACEFUL!!!! I have been involved in Law enforcement for over twenty years and I am appalled!!! This violates everything I have ever been taught or learned. Then after the perp tries to cover his face in defense the next officer comes in and starts wailing on him with a billy club. Then to see the four of them celebrate after the arrest has made me sick to my stomach. I would like to take the El Monte Officer out behind a dumpster somewhere and place a bag over his face and nail him across the face with a 2X4. Guilty or not this gentleman still has rights which are protected by the United States Constitution. I refuse to even visit California for this very reason, incompitant law enforcement who make up their own rules as they go through life.

[Lornaj]

GM owner, the cops are not above the law as they think. The Tax payers will foot the bill for him being Stupid. It is not the first time he has done this, but it is the first time on the news with film. The police will say it is with in department guide Lines and that is always their lie.

GM owner, you need to get kicked in the head to see how it feels. Two wrongs have never made a Right.

[Dack Vigilante]

I applaud the actions from the officer. Great job.

[james]

it makes you leery of police. kinda like how the muslims felt after the release of the abu graib, or something like that, photos. i know they deserve it, but should the authorities do it just because they like to? how cowardice for that police officer. if i were a criminal, i don't know... should i surrender now? or should i continue running? one officer kicked him. another officer was beating him while trying to handcuff him. wtf? is that the training we do for police? scary!

[CX]

This sort of police brutality is common, but rarely reported -and even less frequently video taped. When a person is killed/murdered by the police during an arrest, the DA ALWAYS determines it to be justified within 24 hours. Other crimes by police - and prosecutors - are not charged or reported because they enforce the laws and there is a code of "You take care of me and I'll take care of you". Judges also seem to be lienient toward criminal prosecutors and rogue cops. Prosecutors and cops lie, deceive and intimidate as part of their culture. Remember this the next time you are on jury duty
GOOD JOB to the news reporters.

[AngusC]

This is disgraceful.
If the police that broke the law like these individuals went sent to jail and forced to pay the lawsuits out of their own pockets, not ours, this would not happen.
I have a lot of friends who are good cops and it is sad that people like this ruin the names of the police.
It is absolutely brazen to do this in broad daylight when there is a helicopter overhead recording.
To the non-intelligent ones that are defending this officer, he would not hesitate to arrest you if you assaulted another individual in the same manner and your adrenaline excuse would not fly with him either.

[G. Wis]

I agree he shouldn't have kicked; always go for two at home!

[Maya]

Yes, this was a case of excessive force. Cop should be disciplined. Even if the cop was amped up on adrenaline he is supposed to be a professional, that is what he is being paid to do. A kick to the head is serious stuff. This kind of crap leads to such mistrust of cops that juries don't believe the police and leads to acquittals of guilty like OJ. No one is above the law, including cops and former Presidents and Vice-Presidents.

[John Smith]

This cop is going to lose his job. What kind of person kicks someone when they are down and have already clearly given up. This cop should resign by the end of the week. I also believe the second cop who did the side blows will also get can. This is clearly a violation of his civil rights no matter what the circumstance is on the ground. Millions of people have watched this video already and the actions were not required.

[just joe]

If ever there is a breakdown in L.A. government the type of street justice mentality written about here will destroy what's left of society. No laws, no constitution, just the same type of thugs that kill purported witches in Africa because they think their penis shrunk.

The USA is based on laws... Our forefathers fought for that, I fought for that and our children in uniform are fighting for that.

[Dave T]

Whether or not the suspect "deserved" to be kicked is not the point. Based on the description of his actions during the chase he belongs in prison. BUT, the (theoretical) difference between the good guys and the bad guys is that the good guys are supposed to follow the rules.

[Proud_Americana]

For those of you that are advocating this type of police behavior, I hope you'll be singing the same tune if it was your own son or nephew. The kick in the head was completely unacceptable. And both Sheriff Baca and Bratton argue those only a few bad cops in the bunch, huh? Give me a break.

[stan]

Agree 100% with CX comment. Police rule the people. Even judges favor them becuase they protect them in court rooms. This policeman has no right to kick in his head. Luckily there was video otherwise so many police abuse of power goes unreported. Who questions their power. Hardly they get prosecuted

[Al Y]

It's a shame that the cop is portrayed as the criminal, while the real criminal had absolutley no concern about all the lives he endangerd while speeding on the wrong side of the road and then crashing into some innocent victims car. Fortunately he will be put away but unfortunely we will be seeing more so called "newsworthy stories" about the overexagerated police brutality. The author of this article should consider going back to school and learn how to write fair and imparital stories that can still draw in readers.

[Dan Williams]

JustJoe wrote: "The USA is based on laws... Our forefathers fought for that, I fought for that and our children in uniform are fighting for that."

The USA is based on laws? Oh, yeah? Whatever gave you that idea? We have millions of illegal aliens living here and no one seems to care. We have tax dodgers running the IRS. We have a President who is mostly likely not a native born American and never registered with the Selective Service.

Based on laws ... I think not.

Dan

[Kittybarfola]

I hope this cop not only gets fired (I hope even arrested), but sued as well (and his department) for police brutality. He and his buddies cannot lie themselves out of this one. If he does get fired, I know Maywood likes to hire corrupted cops for a second, third, fourth chance.

[gary]

This is outrages I have posted my comments 3 times and you refuse to air the they are nowhere close to as pronounced as your other blogers shame on you!

[michael]

I'm amazed that there is any debate here--let alone this much. If anyone discussing this saw the overhead shot from the helicopter, it was clear that there was absolutely no threat to the officer whatsoever. What the officers did was absolutely inexcusable and brings them BELOW the level of the man on the ground since they are supposed to be the measure of law and order rather than the opposite. For the El Monte chief to be so evasive about their actions adds insult to (literal) injury.

[Xenu]

Same brutality, same LAPD. Nothing has changed. Can't wait to hear the lies they will spin to excuse this act of brutality.

[fred]

The people(TAXPAYERS) are not at fault, THE COP IS!

[Vicent Adams]

He will get no sympathy from me, and I'm a social liberal!

I've had it with gang members and petty crooks. All they do is graffiti neighborhoods, steal, and hurt or kill other people. I applaud the officers actions; kick that s.o.b. in the head. Maybe it will knock some sense into him.

[Hamilton]

Those of you who think that this suspect was no longer a threat are DEAD WRONG!!! Add up the totality of the circumstances, this Parole is running from the Police for some criminal reason. Trust me, ANYONE who is desperately trying to evade and escape from the Police in such circumstances has a high possibility of being armed with a gun or other weapon that can cause serious bodily injury or death. If I'm a Cop I definitely don't want to give this suspect any time to think of pulling out any weapon and KILL ME so Yes I would give him a distraction strike!!!! ALL YOU PANSIES WHO DON'T AGREE. I CHALLENGE YOU TO GO ON A RIDE ALONG WITH ANY SOUTH END LAPD DIVISION! THEN TALK!!!

[Andros]

For decades the El Monte PD has been like this. I was wrongfully detained when I was a teenager and they treated me very similar. I hope the officer gets what he deserves.

[cx]

Looks like there are a lot of cops making comments here.

[billy]

when i was coming up it was COMMON KNOWLEDGE that if you run from the cops ...and they catch you ... an ass beatin or at the very least a lil thump to the head . .. if there was no media coverage today i bet that kid would look alot more messed up ...

is it wrong ... YES but then again so is gang violence and the death that falls in its wake

[LA Joe]

So what, the parolee got kicked. I'm sure he did much worse to peolpe and probably got worse during his initiation into the gang. He was actively involved in criminal activity. I'm sure that if this POS killed one of your relatives during the chase, then you would want to kick him too. The spinless liberals want safe streets and brave cops, but god forbid if he lets his emotions get he best of him, even if for a minute and even if he does no real damage. I thank the cop for staying the course and find nothing wrong with the kick, the illegal deseved much worse.

[ProPolice]

This police officer deserves a bonus!!...Well done officer!!!

[Observer]

Can't wait to hear the excuses the COPS make for this crime...

[Dr. G]

Just like Chico Police Department in Butte County California and LA county.

PURE BRUTATLITY!!!!!

POWER HUNGRY punks!!!! what happened to innocent until proven guilty.
seems like martial law to me in the video.

officer needs to be punished and examples need to be set for these "public servants"

[DY]

This guy almost ran down people while he was speeding on a sidewalk, and then wrecked at least one other car (in this case, in his final crash before bailing)...in my opinion this idiot deserved SEVERAL kicks in the head! Someone way up at the top of this string asked "what if it was a relative of yours?" My relatives aren't that stupid! They have respect for the law. Screw this "victim"...he got what he had coming. That cop should not prosecuted for this. I know you people in CA love saying the cops are bad and everyone else is an innocent victim, but you need to drop that mentality, because the rest of the country is laughing at you. The cops in CA have a double-tough job controlling all the uncivilized animals in your state, and you guys think THEY are the problem. Wow.

[El Monte Resident]

Too bad the officer was videotaped. That thug deserves another kick to the head!

[alex]

lol good one mr. officer now this criminal is going to get out of jail and sue the department and rip the benefits of your stupidity

[alex]

nice having some one to twist the true meaning of expressing our self's thru this medium no wonder u guys are going out of business cut the crap and let the people speak......no foul language

Your comment has been saved. Comments are moderated and will not appear until approved by the author. Post another comment

[AngusC]

Dan Williams is a sad, pathetic racist loser.
You and the ones like you are the reason this country is getting its butt handed to them by the rest of the world and the reason why no other country has sympathy for the demise of this country and rather support it.
You are The Ugly American.
The comments you made to try to justify your racism are just desperate and pathetic.

[reconranger]

Oh, wah! (crying like a baby). Why did he kick him in the head? Its not right! That criminal placed the lives of innocent people in danger while in pursuit. What if he had killed a little girl walking down the street? Then, that would be a different reaction huh? Bunch of liberal cry babies here.

[mark t.]

If you run expect the worse,you got what you deserved. Punk endangered MY LIFE.

[E.F.]

Loved It.....Janikowski would be proud! Once again, act like a Savage get treated like one!

[anon]

Hey, Xenu, it wasn't the LAPD. Read the article again. Besides, I think the schmuck deserved it. You run from the cops and put countless INNOCENT MOTORISTS in danger, you need a swift kick in the head.

[Anon]

All of the comments to the effect that 'the guy deserved it' make one realize that the United States is part of the Western world in name only. Except for the tri-colour flag and some cute pictures, not much remains of the enlightenment values of Jefferson or Franklin. It would seem that the gut instincts of many Americans are today wholly uncivilized and basically on par with those of fascist or soviet thugs. There is no understanding of the rule of law that applies equally and unequivocally to all. I wonder what's better: to try to civilize the United States through a slow process of education or just to let it rot?

[Adam]

no ifs or buts he shouldnt have been kicked in the head! he could be the worst scumbag in the world but at the end of the day that officer is a LAW enforcer and should not be able to get away with it. if he does its a total contradiction in law but then again the usa is a total contradiction. "land of the free"

[Linda]

The San Gabriel papers have three pictures of the gangbanger after he was arrested. He's walking away in handcuffs, sitting in the patrol car with no injuries.

Add my voice to saying job well done to the police officers. Thanks for keeping us safe.

[A2spw]

When did it become alright for Police Officers to act above the law they enforce? I agree that punishment needs to be handed down, but that's what courts are for. This type of behavior puts honest, hard working, law abiding Police Officer in a bad light. I hate to put it this way, but a negative act such as this should have the officer(s) involved suspended for a period of time.
And please, I support the Police of my area whole heartedly, but bullies, no mater what the uniform is unacceptable.

[Very simple]

"For those of you that are advocating this type of police behavior, I hope you'll be singing the same tune if it was your own son or nephew. The kick in the head was completely unacceptable. And both Sheriff Baca and Bratton argue those only a few bad cops in the bunch, huh? Give me a break. "

I don't know about your family, but no one in my family is as stupid as that idiot ghetto gangbanger in the car chase. If they were, I would hope they would get several swift kicks in the head.

[mark]

Wow --- Good thing he wasn't arrested in Texas eh? They might have been abusive to him.