US police officer arrested for assaulting Indian man
Saturday, 14/02/2015
http://epaper.dailypostindia.com/Details.aspx?id=124810&boxid=61160&uid=&dat=2015-02-14
Wasshington : An American police officer, accused of assaulting a 57-year-old Indian man in the US state of Alabama and leaving him partially paralysed, has been arrested and an FBI probe ordered into the incident, even as his family filed a lawsuit seeking adequate compensation.
Larry Muncey, the Madison City Chief of Police while apologising to the victim Sureshbhai Patel, who was wrongfully assaulted by two police officers, without any provocation just because he did not know English and was unable to answer to their questions, informed that Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will also be conducting a probe into the matter.
“I sincerely apologise to Patel, Patel’s family and our community. We strive to exceed expectations,” Muncey told reporters at a press conference. “Additionally, FBI would be conducting a parallel inquiry to ascertain if there were any federal violations,” Muncey said after releasing audio and videos related to the incident. He added that he has proposed termination of officer Parker, who has now been arrested for third-degree assault.
“We are seeking that Patel be fully compensated,” he said. The incident occurred on the morning of February 6 when while walking down the sidewalk, Patel “was violently assaulted by a police official without provocation, and left partially paralysed,” the 11-page lawsuit said. A day before, Patel had arrived in the US to assist his son and daughter-in-law in caring for their 17-month-old child. In the video, Patel is seen walking quietly. He is not seen peeping at any of the houses or garage as the police was told in an non-emergency call it received from a neighbour.
Two police officers are see approaching Patel and asking him questions - like name, address and identity card. Patel is heard saying “No English” and pointing finger towards his son’s home. Soon one of the police officers, later identified as Parker, is seen violently throwing Patel on the ground and threatening him not to leave. It is at this time it appears Patel was paralysed, apparently by shock.
