I totally agree with Chief Thum, you cannot control human beings all the time;

Joseph Larson, 32, has been charged in a case stemming from an incident on July 24 when he used improper force while restraining a man who was under arrest, according to court documents. Police body camera and in-car camera footage shows Larson striking the man several times, including multiple times in the groin, while trying to secure a seat belt around him in the back of a patrol car.

This has been my argument for a long time, body cams are there to not only protect the officer but the citizen that is being arrested. Obviously in this case, he used excessive force. I guess my question though is was officer Larson relieved of duty immediately after the footage was sent to DCI or did he remain on the force until the AG decided to press charges? It is kind of unclear when he was booted?

“Upon learning about Officer Larson’s actions, he did not work another shift for the Sioux Falls Police Department and is again no longer a member of our department,” Thum said during police briefing.

This brings me to another long standing issue I have not only with the SFPD but with this administration as a whole. Besides the immense lack of transparency and the deep hatred towards open government, even when they are communicating to the public, they are very vague. When was he terminated? A date would be nice. Notice the incident happened July 24th and the arrest warrant did not occur until yesterday. What took so long? You also have to take into account that the city has another case pending that the SD Supreme Court threw back at the lower court. As far as we know, the officer(s) involved in that case still work for the city. Or do they? Nobody knows.

While I appreciate the action being taken against this bad apple, it would be nice to have some clarification about when the officer was terminated . . . oh . . . and if you have a suspect in custody yet for the shootout at the late night Taco Shop? Maybe we can ask the Tuthill ghost ðŸ˜Š

4 Thoughts on “This is why Police Body Cams are Critical

  1. D@ily Spin on January 8, 2022 at 11:31 am said:

    Body cameras are a must. Video protects both the offender and police. There are good officers on the force but also a few bullys. A video provides profound evidence. Fewer cases will get into the clogged courts. It was a video that recently justified life sentences for the 3 who killed a black jogger in Atlanta. One officer shamed the force. Protect and serve but not abuse. Use force that can be justified with a video.

  2. "Woodstock" on January 8, 2022 at 12:52 pm said:

    “What about live FB feeds of all of the restaurants that feed our officers?”…. “That might be fun to watch”….

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6y-pdLyZPJ8

  3. My Mistake Mike on January 10, 2022 at 9:02 am said:

    I wonder which HyVee will hire Officer Larson for its new HVPD?

  4. Fear & Loathing in Sioux Falls on January 10, 2022 at 3:47 pm said:

    It sounds like HyVee is repositioning itself. It pulled out of a tougher neighborhood and now has its own police force. This is one of the first signs of a growing and reemerging feudalist mentality. The river around the city is actually a moat. We must protect ourselves from Taupeville. The covid hospitals are found within our moat. It’s our plague. Why do you think they airlift them here to be forgotten? Now, there are only two true grocery stores within the moat. They plan to starve us, too. Berlin airlifts might be necessary. Food deserts, however, can make great airstrips. We have only two of the Silverstars within our moat as well. To be dirty is to be medieval. That is their plan. It’s all image. Private police forces are also scary and will propagate. They are the new Swiss Guard. Can they eat free anywhere? Won’t they take what food we have? AND they will judge us by our filth. Be prepared. Start your canning. Wash your own cars. “A Helpful Smile in Every Aisle” my ass. #Town&Gown

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