Saturday, May 27, 2000
Lockland chief defends officers
Brutality claimed in arrest of motorist
By Sara J. Bennett
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LOCKLAND — Police officers were trying to subdue a struggling Steve McGee when they threw him to the ground and punched him during a May 11 traffic stop, Lockland Police Chief Ken Johnson said.
But Mr. McGee says officers brutalized him for no reason after they pulled him over for driving the wrong way on a one-way street and handcuffed him.
The incident may be investigated by the FBI. Mr. McGee said he met with an agent Thursday. And Roland Heyne Jr., a councilman for neighboring Arlington Heights, has requested an investigation after viewing a videotape of Mr. McGee's arrest taken by cameras mounted in police cruisers.
“What we have here is a police force practicing the art of police brutality,” Mr. Heyne said. “I would like to see that the officers that are inflicting civil rights deprivations against our citizens be brought to justice for their actions.”
Chief Johnson said the incident is under review, and the officers involved will face discipline if it's warranted.
Mr. McGee, 18 of Lockland, was unarmed, but officers didn't know that at first, the chief said. Adding to tension during the arrest was the fact that the first officer on the scene broke his leg while pulling Mr. McGee to the ground to cuff him.
“I was just pretty much beat up, and I didn't resist at all,” Mr. McGee said. Police charged Mr. McGee with misdemeanor offenses of resisting arrest, failure to display a driver's license, driving the wrong way on a one-way street and possession of marijuana.
Mr. Heyne said he got involved in the case because Mr. McGee came to him for help and because Lockland and Arlington Heights have a mutual-aid agreement.
State Sen. Mark Mallory, D-Cincinnati, said he had watched the videotape and has requested a meeting with Chief Johnson.
“What I've seen in the tape brings some serious questions to mind about police procedures in Lockland,” Mr. Mallory said.
The blurry videotape, which includes views from three different police cars, shows Officer Timothy Doner pulling Mr. McGee over, then ordering him out of his car when he fails to show a driver's license..
Officer Doner puts Mr. McGee's hands behind his back, then pulls him to the street. It's then that the officer breaks his leg.
Officer Keith Ryan arrives and takes Officer Doner's place on top of Mr. McGee. Officer Ryan delivers three quick jabs to Mr. McGee's head area.
Twice more, police are seen throwing Mr. McGee to the ground; and, one time, an officer appears to be punching him in the ribs. Mr. McGee does not appear to struggle violently, but Chief Johnson said he was tensing his body and kicking to avoid being frisked and put in a police car.
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