New Orleans Police Taped While Hitting 64-Year-Old Man and News Producer

NEW ORLEANS – Two New Orleans police officers repeatedly punched a 64-year-old man accused of public intoxication, and another city officer assaulted an Associated Press Television News producer as a cameraman taped the confrontations.There will be a criminal investigation, and the three officers were to be suspended, arrested, and charged with simple battery yesterday, Captain Marlon Defillo said.“We have great concern with what we saw this morning,” Mr. Defillo said after he and about a dozen other high-ranking police department officials watched the APTN footage yesterday. “It’s a troubling tape, no doubt about it. …This department will take immediate action.”The assaults come as the department, long plagued by allegations of brutality and corruption, struggles with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the resignation last month of the police superintendent, Eddie Compass.The APTN tape shows an officer hitting the man at least four times in the head Saturday night as he stood outside a bar near Bourbon Street. The suspect, Robert Davis, appeared to resist, twisting and flailing as he was dragged to the ground by four officers. One of the four then kneed Mr. Davis and punched him twice. Mr. Davis was face-down on the sidewalk with blood streaming down his arm and into the gutter.Meanwhile, a fifth officer ordered APTN producer Rich Matthews and the cameraman to stop recording. When Mr. Matthews held up his credentials and explained he was working, the officer grabbed the producer, leaned him backward over a car, jabbed him in the stomach and unleashed a profanity laced tirade.“I’ve been here for six weeks trying to keep … alive. … Go home!” shouted the officer, who later identified himself as S.M. Smith.Police said Mr. Davis, 64, of New Orleans, was booked on public intoxication, resisting arrest, battery on a police officer, and public intimidation. He was treated at a hospital and released into police custody.“The incidents taped by our cameraman are extremely troubling,” said Mike Silverman, AP’s managing editor. “We are heartened that the police department is taking them seriously and promising a thorough investigation.”Mr. Davis, who is black, was subdued at the intersection of Conti and Bourbon streets. Three of the officers appeared to be white, and the other is light-skinned. The officer who hit Mr. Matthews is white. Mr. Defillo said race was not an issue.

New Orleans Police Taped While Hitting 64-Year-Old Man and News Producer

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