Eric Casebolt resigns amid protests after Texas party video
Wed Jun 10, 2015 1:47AM
A still from a video showing Cpl. Eric Casebolt forcing a teenager to the ground in McKinney, Texas
The US police officer filmed pinning down a teenage black girl to the ground in a Texas party has resigned amid protests.
Police Chief Greg Conley said in a Tuesday press conference that Eric Casebolt, who also drew his gun at teenagers during the party in McKinney, Texas, last week, was stepping down.
"As the chief of police, I want to say to our community that the actions of Casebolt as seen on the video of the disturbance at the community pool are indefensible," Conley said. "Our policies, our training, our practice, do not support his actions. He came into the call, and as the video shows, was out of control during the incident. I had 12 officers on the scene, and 11 of them performed according to their training. They did an excellent job."
Last Friday, police were called following an altercation at the party, reportedly sparked by racist comments by a woman who shouted at partygoers, saying they must go back to their "Section 8 homes".
The seven-minute video released following the incident shows the 41-year-old out-of-control cop wrestling the 15-year-old African American to the ground.
"Our citizens called us to a fight in progress and general disturbance at the community pool," the police chief said. "We responded. I do not condone the actions of those individuals who violated the rules of the community [and] showed disrespect to the security person on scene and to the officers who responded. However, we as a department are held to a high standard of action as we do our jobs."
The video sparked protests with hundreds of people marching in the streets of McKinney, a suburb north of Dallas, late on Monday.
Hundreds of protesters rally in McKinney, Texas, on June 8, 2015.
Some of the teenagers at the party have said that the cops mostly opted for the black attendees upon arrival, leaving the rest alone.
Meanwhile, an investigation into the incident was continuing “in a proper way, in a quick way, and most of all, to make sure that we have a peaceful response to the actions that took place," Conley said.
NT/NT