14 Oct 2016
A video of two campus security officers wrestling a student to the ground at a California community college surfaced on Twitter this morning.
The video begins with a Fullerton Community College campus safety officer telling a student, “If I cannot verify who you are, I’ll just hook you up. I can do that.” He then takes handcuffs from his pocket and begins to physically handle the student. A second officer joins after the student is forced to the ground. At one point, the student declares, “I am not resisting!”
Prior to the video’s start, the student had been smoking a cigarette, according to Twitter user @matisemusic, who posted the clip, and who can be heard on the video claiming that the incident began when the campus officer asked the student for his identification.
On Twitter, the hashtag #JusticeforLouisMunoz surfaced, spearheaded by @matisemusic. As the video circulated, Twitter users shared their outage with the security officers.
this campus security officer needs to be fired and charged with assault. https://t.co/Ud6cn0PLmm
— deray (@deray) October 14, 2016
Is this acceptable? On video, a man who posed no threat, is brutally wrestled to the ground by CAMPUS SECURITY. @FullColl
— Chinecherem ? (@blaxkinsuburbia) October 14, 2016
they denied it, they derailed it, they don't think they did anything wrong. every member is white. these "cops" will face no consequences
— thunty (they/them hunty) (@thai_brows) October 14, 2016
Here is the president’s statement:
“Fullerton College is initiating an independent investigation into an incident that occurred on October 13, 2016 at approximately 2:45 p.m., between a campus safety officer and a man unaffiliated with Fullerton College.
The campus safety officer is being placed on a leave of absence while we work to answer all questions related to this incident.
Videos circulating on social media raise many questions. The videos are partial records of the incident and we are working to fully investigate the interaction. We cannot comment further on the incident because it is a personnel matter.
I am fully committed to the safety and well-being of all students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus, and it is my personal mission to make Fullerton College a welcoming and safe place. If that safety is ever challenged, we will take swift measures to restore security and investigate allegations.”
According to the Campus Safety Department website, campus officers generally provide services like rendering first aid, providing directions and escort services, and opening locked vehicles.
“The Campus Safety Department is committed to providing the highest standard of professionalism and service,” reads the department’s mission statement.
Source: http://college.usatoday.com/2016/10/14/video-police-brutality-fullerton/