Having viewed an internet video of a disorderly conduct arrest late last week, I was deeply disturbed by the actions of one of the three Rehoboth Beach police officers involved in the arrest. This officer twice kicked the arrest subject in the head. This appalling behavior is simply inexcusable under any circumstances.
I am not condoning or sympathizing with the offender. He was uncooperative and unresponsive to the officers’ commands and shouting obscenities. However, the police officers were in control of the situation. They had the subject sitting on the sidewalk and had used a Taser gun on him several times. When he appeared to resist the officers’ placing handcuffs on him and a scuffle ensued, one officer first kicked the subject, then stomped on his head with his boot.
I cringed at the sight and couldn’t believe what I was seeing. How can this happen in Rehoboth Beach. What a huge black eye this will be to the city’s image of a friendly little beach town. How many people will this put off coming here, I have to wonder. I hope Chief Banks will view the video and investigate the circumstances of this arrest. The officer involved should have exercised more self restraint. Personally, I believe he should be fired immediately. There should never ever be a circumstance where kicking someone is the head is condoned, excused, or accepted as a legitimate law enforcement technique for subduing a subject. I hope the right thing will be done.
Richard Kirchhoff
Rehoboth Beach
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