NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Hopkinsville Police Chief says transparency is key right now. That's why he has released body camera footage showing an arrest that's drawn criticism from some members of his community.
In a post to the department's Facebook page, Chief Clayton Sumner said video had been circulating on social media showing the arrest of Anthony Gaines on Monday. Some claimed the arresting officers used a choking tactic on Gaines.
"If we are wrong then we admit our short comings and learn from them and improve. However, at the same time when there is a situation like the videos attached with this post where people are attempting to cause hate and discontent at the cost of the men and women of this agency I am not going to be silent about that either," said Chief Sumner in a statement on Facebook.
Chief Sumner posted body camera footage showing Gaines' arrest to the Hopkinsville Police Department's Facebook page.
The chief said officers were called to Big Blue Court Monday afternoon, where someone reported that Gaines was making threats.
Responding officers learned Gaines had a warrant for his arrest in Tennessee for aggravated assault with a gun.
Officers reported Gaines tried to run away and resist arrest. Once they got him in handcuffs, officers said he wouldn't allow officers to place him into their patrol car.
"Officers again try and lift Mr. Gaines off the ground to place him in the back of the police car at which time Mr. Gaines bites one of the officers on the inside of his upper leg," Chief Sumner said in his Facebook statement.
At one point, Gaines is heard in the video yelling that officers were choking him. According to Chief Sumner, "On the officer's body camera you can see where the officer is simply pushing on the side of Mr. Gaines face and neck still attempting to place him into the police car, never grabbing him around the throat."
The department said Gaines was taken to the hospital to get checked out before being booked into jail.
Chief Sumner says he thinks his officers handled themselves well. He said he felt compelled to post the entire body camera video to Facebook because, "As well as understanding the tone of the country as it relates to law enforcement and arrest, I wanted to be certain to get the factual information out as quick as possible."
