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EDITORIAL
Henderson police should come clean on beating video
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Henderson Mayor Andy Hafen expressed remorse Thursday over injuries caused to the unresisting Adam Greene, who was in diabetic shock when city police beat and kicked him during a traffic stop in October 2010.
It was the first public comment on the incident by anyone on the City Council since it approved a $158,000 settlement with Mr. Greene, 38, on Tuesday.
The traffic stop was videotaped by a Nevada Highway Patrol dashboard camera. That tape, which was released by Mr. Greene's lawyer on Tuesday, showed police Sgt. Brett Seekatz kicking Mr. Greene in the head five times and another officer kneeing the man -- who had already been handcuffed -- in the midsection four times, breaking his ribs. Highway Patrol troopers did not appear to hit or kick Mr. Greene.
Mr. Greene suffered broken ribs and bruises. The city attorney approved a $99,000 settlement with Greene's wife -- a sum just under the $100,000 that would have required the City Council's approval. The state agreed to pay Mr. Greene $35,000, for a total settlement of $292,500.
Officials wouldn't specify how or if Sgt. Seekatz was disciplined over the incident, saying the information is a personnel matter and will not be released. He remains a sergeant.
"Henderson Police Chief Jutta Chambers ordered a closer look at the training Henderson officers receive," according to a prepared statement. "The training on use of force techniques was subsequently modified."
And now everything is hunky-dory?
Wrong.
This incident took place nearly a year and a half ago. Yet the public learned nothing about it until this week -- and then only from Mr. Greene's attorney. What if he'd kept silent? What would the public know today? Nothing. Henderson officials are suddenly sorry today -- 16 months after this abomination -- only because they were outed.
The only named culprit is still a sergeant, retaining all his rank and accrued seniority? The city won't even detail what his discipline was?
Chief Chambers should have held a news conference a year ago, making a clean breast of this incident as soon as details were known, promising a public investigation, firings if appropriate, and reform. The discipline of Sgt. Seekatz is not a confidential personnel matter -- it has nothing to do with his health or domestic affairs. Rather, full disclosure of how he was punished is vital if Henderson police hope to maintain public respect. And why weren't the other officers involved similarly identified, along with the nature of their discipline?
Henderson police -- and the elected officials to whom they answer -- have a lot to learn from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, which under its most recent three sheriffs has made great strides in coming clean on controversial matters instead of sweeping them under the rug.
Right now, all across the nation, a new police-beating video is going viral, and would-be tourists are adding "Henderson, Nevada" to the list of places they're promising themselves never to go. Henderson's silent police chief and elected officials have a long way to go to restore some semblance of public confidence.
Instead, they're patting themselves on the back, congratulating each other for implementing new training techniques.
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This raises questions. Why is it that the taxpayers are forced to pay for the wrongful actions of the Henderson police officers? If a regular citizen wrongfully beats another victim, then that citizen is arrested, charged, imprisoned, and forced to pay the restitution for the victim they wronged. This victim deserves compensation, but punishing the taxpayers for the wrongful action of the Henderson police is adding further insult to injury. Equal justice? Apparently not. My God, these officers even have their jobs still! Did you see how many law enforcement officers on the scene allowed this to happen? This tells me that this type of abusive activity among police is widespread and acceptable. It is a sad day in America when the police are allowed to be bigger offenders then the so-called offender (diabetic) they readily kick in the face while down.
Mrs Ed: You didn't become Mrs. Med! Glad! I have a gut feeling this Sgt will be fired. It takes time. City council will advise city manager and City Manager will have no choice. Police chief? She is only following City Manager. Something is wrong with this Manager. Chief have to obey Manager. City Manager is the one delaying. But last time city fired city manager, city had to pay $2.3 M. If I were a city council member, I would dig dirt of this City Manager.
bghs,1986: Another one of your analytic comments: No matter what American say Japanese are good in computing and memorize but I know we lack in analytic training. That is why I knew Americans are intelligent. You are one of them I learn a lot from your comment here. Other people here, too. Now you know why I go everywhere with my broken English.
It is not easy to fire City Manager, Quinn sued city when she was fired and she got $2.3 million. Only way we can get this mess out is City council to make sure City Manager to order Police Chief to fire Sgt. Chief is an appointed position and work under City Manager. Important decisions and news release, she can not do on her own. She needs carefully discuss with city Manager before she can release details to public. Police Chief is a high position in city. She can not act like Harry Reid. Reid can bring to Pres. Obama with his neck leash. But not Police Chief in Henderson. She does not have a leash. If she has, she has to stand on a chair to reach him.
scotwith1t: Thank you for your detailed info. I knew TV's cop series use real life procedure but I did not connect to the real life police men's procedure. Thank you. One bad apple spoiled image of Henderson police men. I hope Police chief Chamber will fire that Sgt. Chief Sgt has worked from bottom to up beside military duty. She is experienced in undercover narcotics, and even technical service. I bad mouthed but when you check public officials everywhere in Clark County, she is one rare officials. Maybe she does not rush? Police chief, if you are browsing here, I am sorry to you. Just rush to fire that Sgt. You were in USAF. Can you fry???
James,Dais: I haven't noticed N. Las Vegas Police men 's brutality story. Did I missed? I usually read all and even check Census Bureau Data. Are you people hiding or am I right???
Gary D:Sgt. Seekaz the one who was brutal. Other police people were not there. like any criminal investigation, Sgt. and involved police should be investigated. Sorry I wrote all police should be fired. I think I am discriminatory and biased. Police Chief should come out and release what she/he will do. Otherwise, all policemen get treated like I had been doing.
BlackJohnx: I did not know Henderson Police cars have dash camera. I am going to stop write about laughing no dash camera. I like new technologies all the time. Dash cameras are handy and easy to operate now.
GhostCoyote: Glad we have police men like you. I did not believe 100 % is bad or 100 % is good. Please keep working. don't quit. We need your kind of police people.
@GhostCoyote.....I don't think she was referring to a CO like yourself. When she referred to "legal parameters of strategic deception" I'm pretty sure she was talking about "real cops." You know, the ones prowling the streets. D. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to say your not a real police officer. It's not as if your school 'cop.'