SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — The Syracuse Police Department stated that the body cam video of an arrest being shared on social media contained indications of breaches in policies and procedures.
As stated by the department, the violations will be addressed via disciplinary actions and retraining.
A sixty-second clip garnered tens of thousands of views on social media platforms. The situation began when a vehicle committed a traffic infraction at the intersection of South Avenue and Bellevue Avenue. Upon stopping the car, law enforcement officers found out that both the operator, Jaumar Chandler, and the occupant, Antal Tatum, lacked legitimate driving permits. Consequently, authorities decided that the automobile needed to be impounded.
Chandler and Tatum were permitted to move about as they waited for the tow truck, but because they weren’t checked for weapons, they were instructed to maintain some space from the officers, according to police statements.
The authorities stated that both parties persisted in disregarding these instructions, with Chandler repeatedly reaching into his pockets. Multiple requests from law enforcement for Chandler to maintain visibility of his hands led up to them eventually placing him under arrest using minimal restraint and seating him inside their cruiser as they handled the necessary documentation.
While sitting in the rear seat of the police vehicle, Chandler repeatedly stated that he planned to "shoot the officer and spit on the officer" and also made offensive remarks about the officer’s relatives, according to law enforcement officials.
The footage spreading across social media continues from this point, showing Chandler being let out from the rear of the vehicle and having his handcuffs taken off.
"When I exited the vehicle, I was also freeing myself from the handcuffs. Just as I prepared to leave, I gathered all my belongings," Chandler recounted during an interview held at the location of the event the following day.
The footage misses the following four seconds. The view shifts down to focus on the ground until it quickly readjusts upward just as a confrontation begins with Chandler lying on the pavement.
At that time, according to law enforcement officials, Chandler spat on an officer.
I was ready to spit, so I spat on the floor," Chandler stated. "Then he tossed me onto the ground. My friend then asked why he was doing that, and they also threw him to the floor.
Antal Tatum, one of Chandler's friends, was brought down to the ground after approaching the police from behind.
When the police attempted to cuff Chandler, an officer was observed placing his knee near Chandler’s head before pulling it away.
A short time after that, the officer is spotted striking Chandler's head.
"I was attempting to safeguard myself, and they claim I was resisting arrest, but I'm not sure how," Chandler stated.
"I would like to address the use of controlled strikes. While striking the face and head may appear unfavorable at first glance, when executed carefully and deliberately, such actions adhere to our policies and meet DCJS guidelines. These maneuvers aim to make the detainee lift their arms, allowing officers to secure their wrists and bring them under arrest," stated Police Chief Joe Cecile concerning the event.
Chandler faced charges of harassment and resisting arrest. Tatum was accused of obstructing governmental administration along with resisting arrest.
You can find Police Chief Joe Cecile’s complete statement on this issue below:
The Syracuse Police Department initiated an inquiry into a use-of-force incident related to arrests made on Wednesday, April 9th, approximately at 3:09 p.m., near the junction of South Avenue and Bellevue Avenue. Below you can find comprehensive information about this event. Despite the ongoing nature of the complete investigation, footage from body-worn cameras has exposed instances where police policies and procedures were breached; these issues will be addressed through disciplinary actions and further training.
On April 9th, around 3:09 PM, police officers from the Syracuse PD pulled over a car at the junction of South Avenue and Bellevue Avenue due to some traffic infractions. During their inquiry, law enforcement officials found out that both the person driving and the one riding as a passenger lacked valid licenses. Because of this situation, the decision was made to have the vehicle towed away according to regulations. Following departmental guidelines, the officers started conducting an inventory check.
Currently, both the driver—a 21-year-old named Jaumar Chandler—and the passenger—an individual aged 22 known as Antal Tatum—were allowed to move freely and access their mobile devices. Nevertheless, due to them not having undergone weapon searches, authorities instructed them to maintain some space from law enforcement officers. Despite these instructions, both disregarded the directive; notably, the driver persisted with reaching into his pockets. Multiple requests were made for Chandler to display his hands clearly—to ensure safety before search procedures took place. Following numerous orders regarding hand visibility, the police officers secured him in handcuffs non-forcefully and seated him inside a patrol car’s rear section during the processing and completion of citations and additional documentation.
As Chandler sat inside the patrol car, he repeatedly stated that he would "shoot the officer" and "spit on the officer." Additionally, he made offensive remarks regarding the officer's family members. Once all the necessary documentation had been processed, Chandler was led out of the patrol vehicle, whereupon his handcuffs were removed. At this moment, he spun around and spat toward the officer.
The officer moved to tackle Chandler to the ground and detain him for harassment. The officers issued several vocal instructions for Chandler to put his hands behind his back, but he declined to comply. In response, they delivered several forceful blows to his head and face aimed at making him raise his hands so that they could secure his wrists and reapply the handcuffs. This approach succeeded, and Chandler had his hands cuffed again. As a result, he faced charges of both harassment and obstruction of justice.
I aim to highlight the aspect of controlled strikes. While striking the face and head always appears unfavorable visually, when executed with precision and intent, such actions adhere to established policies and meet DCJS guidelines. These maneuvers are intended to make the arrestee lift their hands, enabling officers to secure the individual’s wrists and bring them under restraint.
The second individual involved, Antal Tatum, got arrested for attempting to interfere with Chandler’s arrest. He faced charges related to Obstructing Governmental Administration along with resistance during his own apprehension. Neither party showed signs of physical injury, and each declined medical attention upon being offered.
— Chief of Syracuse Police Joe Cecile
The complete Use of Force policy for the Syracuse Police Department can be accessed below:
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