On Tuesday, the Chief of Police in Florence, Alabama, issued a statement to the public addressing a video that has been circulating online. The Chief emphasized that the footage provides only a limited view of a broader incident and that the accompanying commentary could lead to a misleading interpretation of the events that transpired.
According to the police report, the individual involved was found to be armed with a knife attached to his hip and was actively resisting arrest when officers attempted to detain him. The situation escalated as the officer tried to secure the man in handcuffs, but he continued to resist. In the course of the struggle, the officer brought the individual to the ground. While on the ground, the suspect refused to remove his uncuffed hand from beneath him, which was dangerously close to the knife, posing a significant risk to the officer and others nearby.
In response to this threat, the officer delivered two strikes to the suspect’s head, which resulted in the individual’s hand being freed. However, these strikes also caused a laceration above the suspect’s eyebrow, leading to considerable bleeding. Following the incident, the man was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment and was subsequently released to the Lauderdale County Detention Center.
The charges filed against the individual include Public Intoxication, Resisting Arrest, and Retail Theft in the third degree. It is important to note that he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The Chief of Police concluded the statement by urging the community to seek out the facts before forming conclusions, as inaccuracies can erode trust between the community and law enforcement, as well as jeopardize officer safety.
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