OKC police release bodycam footage of use-of-force incident involving 70-year-old man
An Oklahoma City Police Department officer is on paid administrative leave while an internal investigation into a use-of-force incident involving a 70-year-old man continues.
The department has released body camera footage of an Oct. 27 interaction between the officer and Lich Vu following a vehicle collision near NW 39 and Meridian Avenue,
The officer appears to throw Vu to the ground during an argument in which Vu refused to sign a ticket for an alleged improper U-turn. Vu was hospitalized following the incident.
Following the collision, police said, Vu allegedly tried to reach into the other motorist’s car and spoke about punching her. No contact was made, according to police.
The body camera footage starts with Vu in the driver’s seat of his car, his door open and the officer explaining why he is writing the ticket for an improper U-turn.
“I didn’t do that,” Vu said.
Moments later, he got out of the car.
As the argument continued, the officer is heard telling Vu if he didn’t sign the ticket he would go to jail.
“I’m ready to go to jail,” Vu said.
“You’re ready to go to jail?” the officer said. “Ridiculous. OK. That involves impounding your car too.”
The officer then briefly spoke with the other motorist involved in the collision. He issued a ticket to the motorist.
When the officer returned to speak with Vu, the argument about Vu’s ticket continued.
Vu appears to slap the officer’s chest.
“You shut up,” Vu said.
The officer appears to grab Vu’s arm before throwing him to the ground and handcuffing him. Police said the handcuffs were removed after a call to paramedics.
KWTV-9 reported that Vu’s daughter said Vu has had surgery to repair a brain bleed, and he has a fractured neck that has caused him to need a tube to eat.
The Police Department said in a statement the incident remains under investigation and will be presented to the District Attorney’s office.
“The Oklahoma City Police Department is dedicated to transparency and accountability,” the department said. “We want our community to know that this case is being thoroughly investigated and the review process will take time to complete. We ask for your patience as we work to conclude this investigation.”
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC police release footage of use-of-force incident with elderly man
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