Former police officer arrested in park for throwing ball with daughter due to coronavirus social distancing rules
Category: News & Politics
Via: vic-eldred • 6 years ago • 67 commentsBy: By Jeffrey Cook , Clayton Sandell and Jennifer Leong
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
In an incident caught on video, a former Colorado State Patrol trooper said he was handcuffed in front of his 6-year old daughter on a near-empty softball field Sunday by Brighton police officers enforcing social distancing rules . The department apologized Tuesday afternoon, calling the incident an "overreach by our police officers."
Matt Mooney, 33, told ABC News he walked with his wife and daughter from their home to a nearby park Sunday to play softball.
"We're just having a good time, not near anybody else. The next closest person is at least 15 feet away from me and my daughter at this point," Mooney told ABC News.
Police arrived soon after, Mooney said, telling him and others in the area to leave because the park was closed.
Mooney said he told officers that he was familiar with the posted rules and believed he and his family were in compliance and practicing proper social distancing. He said he refused to provide his identification when officers asked for it because he had not broken any law.
"Well, they didn't like that idea. They then proceeded to make a threat against me saying, 'If you don't give us your identification, if you don't identify yourself, we're going to put you in handcuffs in front of your 6-year-old daughter.'"
Mooney said officers handcuffed him and placed him in a patrol car for about 10 to 15 minutes while they phoned a supervisor for guidance. The incident was captured on cellphone footage by former Brighton City Councilman Kirby Wallin.
"Yeah, it's Sunday and the Brighton police are apparently arresting a dad for throwing a ball to his daughter," Wallin is heard saying on the video.
In a statement, the Brighton Police Department said it was "deeply sorry" for the incident and is conducting an internal investigation.
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Embarrassing a man in front of his daughter?
How many here think this requires a lot more than an apology?
Did you read the actual article? The only person saying that he was arrested for social distancing, was the guy (not actually) arrested.
This article is based entirely on what Matt Mooney said, so a very one sided story. From the info presented, nobody knows who was in the wrong, yet you guys are very happy to jump on the cops. Deserving or not.
Here:
"Mooney said officers handcuffed him and placed him in a patrol car for about 10 to 15 minutes while they phoned a supervisor for guidance. The incident was captured on cellphone footage by former Brighton City Councilman Kirby Wallin."
He did not resist arrest!
This took place in front of his daughter!
Actually, by definition (cuffed and in the car), he was most definitely arrested.
He should have known that handing over his ID was SOP, guilty or not.
I'd be interested to know why he is no longer a trooper. Anger/authority issues?
Where's Paul Harvey when you need him for the Rest of the Story?
Correct. Mooney said
Point out where that claim was ever made! By me, or in the article. Show me that claim!!!
"Yes lieutenant, I caught the man that killed those 12 people, but he was with his daughter, so I had to let him go."
Wrong! He was placed in custody or detained. There is a very legal difference between the 3.
Many police officers will handcuff someone, and search them, before placing them in the back seat of the patrol car. This is for the officer's protection, not necessarily an arrest. It is all based on the reason the person was placed in the car, in this case, more than likely, to ascertain his identity.
Absolutely! And his refusal can be considered suspicious.
Does sound like he has a bone to pick, doesn't it.
Yes, we need the whole story before piling on Mooney or the cops.
He isn’t required to give police his ID and the incident was captured on video, so there’s a little more to it than just his word. However, I agree with you that their is probably more information to be had. We don’t know if it’s relevant yet.
He was detained and temporarily in custody, but not under arrest. Cops will probably say that they cuffed him and put him in the car for safety during their investigation - or some such bullshit. He is not required to show ID, but refusing is generally a good way to piss off the cops.
Each individual has to decide for themselves whether or not they want to risk that. I don’t know if insisting on your rights with your 6 year old daughter around is such a prudent choice, unless one likes the idea of their kid spending the rest of the day with CPS.
Depends on why they asked for it. They have the absolute right to demand ID if circumstances demand.
Yup, a video showing him talking to the police, then being put in handcuffs and placed in their patrol car, followed by being released. That video is going to be a game changer! /s
My question is why is he a "former Colorado State Patrol trooper", he's only 33 so he isn't old enough to be retired so what's his deal.
In the actual article it says he now runs a construction company. Maybe he was looking for something a little safer with a better paycheck for himself and his family. Who knows?
My Father was a Ft Worth TX police officer for 15 years. Every day he went to work we did not know if he would come home, or we have to plan for his funeral. Then he was sent to the Texas Rangers for 4 years.
It was very stressful on the family. After 19 years he left the law forces and started his own plumbing contractor business. Way safer and better pay.
15 years, wow! I can only imagine how you all must have worried about him.
Thanks JaneDoe. Indeed it was a very trying time for our family, and especially for very young children to realize that any day our Father may not ever come home again.
And it was not much better for him as a Texas Ranger, as he was up against organized crime in the form of a large cattle rustling ring, and again a prime target.
There need to be policy changes and better education of officers throughout the policing industry. They also need to hire less bullies.
I would say there is almost complete certainty that this arrest took place because of a personality conflict between the cop and the citizen, rather than because of draconian enforcement of "social distancing". I bet they got off on a wrong foot and it escalated.
One other thought, although not important.
In a park setting, 15 feet away would actually be considered to be close. Not clsoe enough to pass the virus though.
I'm not sure an arrest took place, by I think I can go along on the rest of what you say. A similar thing happened to me when I was 20 years old. I was early for my first day of work at a new job. The place hadn't opened yet and I was just hanging around there. A police car pulled over and one of two cops questioned what I was doing there. I told them. The cop asked for my ID. I said I didn't have it with me and asked why they needed it? The cop was very upset and believe it or not they searched me and put me in the car. The cop started driving to the police station with the other one (the silent one) just staring at him. Eventually, the cop pulled over and apologized to me. I accepted the apology and told them I understood that I was out of line too. Had anything like that happened in front of my daughter, I would have probably assaulted one of them.
What a fine example for someone to set for their child.
In addition, if one were to think that being 'embarrassed' justifies assaulting another human being, then I imagine they have experienced a lifetime of...dust-ups.
There are times (most of the time) when the police need to be aggressive - as in with thugs who are resisting arrest.
Dealing with decent Americans would require a more humane conduct.
This may be WHY they 'got off on the wrong foot:
Yep.
Cops hate it when they can’t dominate you. Well at least the shitty ones do.
Every dept seems to have its share of one bullet Barney’s.
Seems excessive, but who knows? Maybe this guy was really like “fuck off coppers or I’ll kill you too!”
Ya mess with the bull yer gonna get the horns
Treat others as you would like to be treated.
""They could very simply be asymptomatic, not even know they're sick, and now I've been exposed. My daughter's been exposed; my wife's been exposed," said Mooney."
A scene from Super Troopers - looking for a payday. Move along.