Associated Press
By ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS
Associated Press
COLUMBUS (AP) â Police in Ohioâs capital city ran âamokâ last year when responding to demonstrations against racial injustice and police brutality by using physical violence, tear gas and pepper spray against protestors without provocation, a federal judge said Friday in a ruling ordering officers to approach such scenarios differently.
Most participants were peacefully protesting or observing when they fell victim to such nonlethal responses by officers, with âa mountain of evidenceâ that protesters were targeted while trying to follow police orders to leave the demonstrations, said Judge Algenon Marbley.
His 88-page opinion ordered police to stop using such tactics on nonviolent protesters who arenât harming people or destroying property. Marbley also said police canât inflict pain to punish or deter protesters, and must ensure body-worn and cruiser cameras are working and badge n
Judge Algenon L. Marbley described the physical violence, tear gas and pepper spray used by Columbus police as “the sad tale of officers, clothed with the awesome power of the state, run amok.”
A federal judge on Friday prohibited police in Columbus, Ohio, from using force against nonviolent protesters.
In an 88-page opinion obtained by the local NBC station, Judge Algenon L. Marbley of the Southern District of Ohio described the officers use of physical violence, tear gas and pepper spray as “the sad tale of officers, clothed with the awesome power of the state, run amok.”
Marbley also ordered that officers be restrained from using other weapons and tactics such as grenades, rubber bullets, body slams or kettling against nonviolent protesters. Officers must ensure that police vehicle cameras and body cameras are in good working order when interacting with non-violent protesters.
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