Time and time again we find that Officers on our Department are subjected to bad press and one sided stories regarding actions they have taken. In the past several days some of our Officers have again come under fire. In most instances there is a chance for the FOP to be part of the story and to make a statement. Individual Officers that are the subject of these stories are always advised not to make statements, but instead let our attorney or one of the FOP representatives comment on the issue. In the past several days the FOP has not been afforded this opportunity, so I will respond here.
Officer Steve Cambron has been lambasted by the media over the force he was compelled to use in the arrest of a violent criminal suspect. The media made numerous comments about how he repeatedly sprayed him with pepper mace and choked the suspect. Let's look at the facts of the case.
This subject was a known criminal that Officer Cambron had specific knowledge of his perpensity for violence and had assaulted Police in the past. The subject attacked Officer Cambron when he tried to take him into custody. He was sprayed several times but the pepper spray had no effect on the subject. This happens in a very small minority of the population. That is why he was sprayed several times, not numerous times. At no time did Officer Cambron strike the subject, he merely tried to control him by putting him in a headlock not a chokehold, while his partner handcuffed the subject. These are control techniques, not excessive force. If you will recall the subject struggled the entire time until more back up arrived. This perpetrator made a conscious decision to fight the police and attempt to get away and he was unsuccessful on both counts.
The media carefully selected what it posted about this story. At no time was there mention or notice given regarding the suspect's statements in front of the camera where he apologized to Officer Cambron for kicking him and fighting with him. The video also clearly shows that the suspect was not suffering from the effects of the pepper mace.
Most people understand that one of the elements of Law Enforcement is FORCE. We will use whatever force necessary to protect ourselves and to affect the arrest. We follow a policy called the "Force Continuum" that outlines how we react in given situations. Officer Cambron was cleared by the Departmental Investigation because the FACTS clearly showed that he followed the rules in his use of force.
In case you don't know Officer Cambron, he is a fine upstanding person and an excellent Police Officer. Officer Cambron is one of the most decorated Officers on our department. He is highly motivated and is a Field Training Officer, a Crisis Intervention Team Officer and a member of the Division's Special Response Team. Unlike the suspect that he had to subdue that night, Officer Cambron is a fine member of our community.
The suspect's criminal record since he turned 18 is as follows:
10/09/1997 Possession of Cocaine, Trafficking in Cocaine & Tampering with evidence.
03/18/1999 Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
10/11/1999 Assault 3 rd Degree on a Police Officer, Tampering with Evidence, Resisting Arrest, Criminal Mischief 3 rd Degree, Loitering for the unlawful use of a controlled substance & Giving Police Officers a False Name.
03/21/2000 Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia & Possession of a Legend Drug.
06/08/2000 Possession of Marijuana, Criminal Trespass 2 nd Degree & Loitering for the Unlawful Use of a Controlled Substance.
09/04/2003Possession of Marijuana.
10/23/2003Speeding 15mph over & No Operator's License.
10/28/2003Attempt Theft by Unlawful Taking 0/300 Dollars (Auto) & Criminal Mischief 3 rd Degree.
11/30/2004Assault 3 rd Degree on a Police Officer, Resisting Arrest, Menacing & Criminal Mischief 3 rd Degree.
The suspect's juvenile criminal record is not available to be published. You will also note that there are some gaps in his arrest history. This doesn't mean he wasn't out committing crimes, but some of those gaps reflect his time in jail and prison. This person is not the poster child for police brutality. He is a career criminal and a convicted felon that keeps on getting into trouble.
Chief White stated that "Given what he was confronted with, I don't find the force to be excessive. We agree.
Sometimes in the scope of our duties we come across violent criminals that fight with us, resist arrest and try to assault us. We are allowed to protect ourselves and use force if necessary. Some liberals would have you believe that we should appeal to their better nature and resolve these issues with discussion and not conflict. That is not the way it works. Officers on the Louisville Metro Police Department will continue to protect and serve our community from criminals like this one. We will continue to do our best to make sure that the good citizens of our community are kept safe from the outlaw element of our society.
Paul SchweizerRecording SecretaryRiver City Fraternal Order of Police Lodge # 614