This is another case of a bureaucrat/politician police chief throwing his officers under the bus, as far as I'm concerned. Apologizing to the thug, then blaming his cops, when it's an acceptable "trained technique", and "we have immediately changed the policy".


https://abc13.com/5445603/

Galveston officers on horseback seen leading handcuffed man with rope

By Jessica Willey
Tuesday, August 6, 2019 3:30AM


GALVESTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Galveston Police are responding to uproar over a photo posted to Facebook showing a man being led by officers on horses, using a rope.

"You don't even do a dog like that," said Sherri Kelly, visiting the island from Spring. "I don't care. That's inhumane."

"Where were they walking him to and why did they rope him if he was handcuffed? I don't think it's right," Cynthia Orise of Galveston said.

Donald Neely, 43, was arrested by the Galveston Police Department on Saturday, accused of criminal trespass at 22nd street and Mechanic.

Police say the officers led him around the corner of 21st and Market, where the mounted patrol unit was staging when the photo was taken.

Some commented online that it appeared the rope was tied to the suspect's hands. The police department says the suspect was handcuffed and the rope was clipped to the handcuffs.

Chief Vernon L. Hale, III of the Galveston Police Department released a statement apologizing to Neely:

"First and foremost I must apologize to Mister Neely for this unnecessary embarrassment. Although this is a trained technique and best practice in some scenarios, I believe our officers showed poor judgement in this instance and could have waited for a transport unit at the location of arrest. My officers did not have any malicious intent at the time of the arrest, but we have immediately changed the policy to prevent the use of this technique and will review all mounted training and procedures for more appropriate methods."

The department identified the officers as P. Brosch and A. Smith. They were wearing body cameras, which were activated, according to police.

Neely's sister was upset when she saw the photo. She tells ABC13 he is mentally ill and homeless.

Police say the officers do not face discipline.

Don’t break the law, and need not worry about being led away handcuffed with a rope.

quote:

Although this is a trained technique and best practice

That makes sense. It's not like a horse has a back seat with a cage to put the detainee in.

What happens when the handcuffed guy starts to run and ends up hit by a car? Then they'd be complaining that he wasn't attached with a rope.

Well, it wasn't around his neck...

It's bad optics, sit him on the ground, call for a car to pick him up. I believe he was trespassing, how far were they going to walk him? For How long in the hot texas summer sun.

What if this were one of your sons or grandsons who was going to be arrested for something as trivial as trespassing and they lashed him to a horse and drug him of to jail.

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how far were they going to walk him? For How long in the hot texas summer sun.

8 blocks according to the article, but 2 blocks according to Google Maps.

quote:

Originally posted by GA Gator:
What if this were one of your sons or grandsons who was going to be arrested for something as trivial as trespassing and they lashed him to a horse and drug him of to jail.

I would say they deserved it.

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why did they rope him if he was handcuffed?

Because handcuffs don't prevent someone from running with their feet.

(Although being cuffed behind your back does make it more difficult to maintain your balance while running. Reason #478 to always cuff them behind the back...)

quote:

Originally posted by GA Gator:
What if this were one of your sons or grandsons who was going to be arrested for something as trivial as trespassing and they lashed him to a horse and drug him of to jail.

What if it was your business this guy was trespassing on, and what if your business has been robbed several times over the last few months?

We can play the "what if" game all day. I, for one, miss the days when people were SHAMED by society for committing criminal acts. I'd like to see law breakers put in stocks in the town square with a sign stating what crimes they committed. Instead, now we pity the law breakers - no wonder why there are so many more of them today.

quote:

Originally posted by GA Gator:
It's bad optics, ...

I'm as tired of hearing about "optics" as I am every other damn modern opportunity to be offended. Fuck optics. They have a job to do. Let them get it done in the most expeditious manner possible that isn't downright abusive.

Would you have been happier if they'd dismounted and escorted him the distance while leading their horse? What's the difference? I mean, besides "optics?"

quote:

Originally posted by GA Gator:
What if this were one of your sons or grandsons who was going to be arrested for something as trivial as trespassing and they lashed him to a horse and drug him of to jail.

I'd tell him "Don't start none, you won't get none."

They could of just hog tied him and threw him over the back of the horse.

I don't see a thing wrong with it. If you don't want to be treated like a dog don't behave like one. The chief is a wuss for groveling

Good job officers, give those horses an extra apple.

All I can say is that this should surprise no one. Yeah I get tired of the optics argument too. Do I have sympathy for the guy. No. My sympathy is with the cops who have to put up with this nonsense. But pick your battles. How much trouble would it be to put him in the back of a patrol car?

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What if this were one of your sons or grandsons who was going to be arrested for something as trivial as trespassing and they lashed him to a horse and drug him of to jail.

First of all, he wasn't "lashed" to a horse and "drug off" to jail

He wasn't being dragged. He had to walk a little. He broke the law, was arrested, and handcuffed and tied to prevent him from hurting himself and others.

If it was my son, I would be on him like stink on a monkey and kicking his ass for trespassing and breaking the law.

quote:

Originally posted by Fed161:
All I can say is that this should surprise no one. Yeah I get tired of the optics argument too. Do I have sympathy for the guy. No. My sympathy is with the cops who have to put up with this nonsense. But pick your battles. How much trouble would it be to put him in the back of a patrol car?

I basically agree. Poor judgement. What they did is rarely seen so it's going to attract attention. That may be exactly what they were looking for. What's the point of police on horseback in populated areas that are accessible by typical patrol vehicles? Ridiculous. They don't do themselves many favors.

Rope, throw, and brand 'em.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jhe888,

This is how they hold you when waiting for a patrol officer to come and hook you up:



Would you rather stand like this for 30 minutes while waiting or take the 5 minute walk?

And how many of you have been in handcuffs in the back of a patrol car? I'd rather walk with a rope attached and I'm a small flexible guy.

quote:

Originally posted by a1abdj:

quote:

Although this is a trained technique and best practice

That makes sense. It's not like a horse has a back seat with a cage to put the detainee in.

What happens when the handcuffed guy starts to run and ends up hit by a car? Then they'd be complaining that he wasn't attached with a rope.

Well the LEOs didn't throw him a party! And I agree, I have never seen a back seat on a horse! Just one more reason for the LEO hating assholes to get spun up.

Maybe the LEOs should have just tased him and called for an ambulance?