TheeBadOne
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WARREN, Ohio -- A controversial arrest by police in Warren over the weekend is prompting a community-wide debate.
NewsChannel5's Ted Hart reported that some believe it is a case of police brutality, while others say officers used justifiable force.
The police dashboard cameras don't quite show the altercation, but witnesses said officers threw Lyndal Kimble (pictured, left), 29, to the ground and used excessive force in his arrest.
"Something needs to be done," said Eric King, Kimble's friend. "These guys just do what they want, when they want, and how they want, just because they carry a badge. This is the way they do us all the time. (They) harass us -- a few cops -- and they wonder why we run."
Police said they pulled Kimble over on a traffic stop and that they saw him put what looked like a baggie containing crack cocaine in his mouth. A fight apparently started when Kimble allegedly refused to spit it out.
"The officers were just using the force necessary to affect the arrest and control Mr. Kimble," said Lt. Joe Marhulik, of the Warren Police Department.
Kimble's family disagrees.
"Three were holding him, three on his back, (while they) kicked him in the face," said Willette Hall, Kimble's stepmother. "If that's not excessive force -- when a man is down and handcuffed, why kick him in his face?"
But police said a preliminary review indicated the force was necessary.
"If a person ends up dying from an overdose or an obstructed airway, then we'll end up answering questions on why did we allow that to happen," Chief John Mandopoulos said.
Officers said that after his arrest, while pleading for something to drink, Kimble also apologized.
Police said Kimble eventually spit a baggie out of his mouth. The contents are currently being tested.
Kimble suffered a dislocated shoulder, bruised ribs a swollen cheek and other bruises. He was treated at the Forum Health Trumbull Memorial Hospital emergency room following the arrest, then was released to police custody. He was arraigned Monday on charges of felonious assault and resisting arrest.
Warren Mayor Henry Angelo called for an immediate investigation and urged the public not to jump to conclusions.
Meanwhile, the officers involved remain on active duty. An internal affairs investigation is under way.
There is apparently home video of Kimble's arrest that more clearly shows the fight, but instead of letting the public be the judge, the home videographer is asking for thousands of dollars for the tape. NewsChannel5 does not pay for videotape.
NewsChannel5's Ted Hart reported that some believe it is a case of police brutality, while others say officers used justifiable force.
The police dashboard cameras don't quite show the altercation, but witnesses said officers threw Lyndal Kimble (pictured, left), 29, to the ground and used excessive force in his arrest.
"Something needs to be done," said Eric King, Kimble's friend. "These guys just do what they want, when they want, and how they want, just because they carry a badge. This is the way they do us all the time. (They) harass us -- a few cops -- and they wonder why we run."
Police said they pulled Kimble over on a traffic stop and that they saw him put what looked like a baggie containing crack cocaine in his mouth. A fight apparently started when Kimble allegedly refused to spit it out.
"The officers were just using the force necessary to affect the arrest and control Mr. Kimble," said Lt. Joe Marhulik, of the Warren Police Department.
Kimble's family disagrees.
"Three were holding him, three on his back, (while they) kicked him in the face," said Willette Hall, Kimble's stepmother. "If that's not excessive force -- when a man is down and handcuffed, why kick him in his face?"
But police said a preliminary review indicated the force was necessary.
"If a person ends up dying from an overdose or an obstructed airway, then we'll end up answering questions on why did we allow that to happen," Chief John Mandopoulos said.
Officers said that after his arrest, while pleading for something to drink, Kimble also apologized.
Police said Kimble eventually spit a baggie out of his mouth. The contents are currently being tested.
Kimble suffered a dislocated shoulder, bruised ribs a swollen cheek and other bruises. He was treated at the Forum Health Trumbull Memorial Hospital emergency room following the arrest, then was released to police custody. He was arraigned Monday on charges of felonious assault and resisting arrest.
Warren Mayor Henry Angelo called for an immediate investigation and urged the public not to jump to conclusions.
Meanwhile, the officers involved remain on active duty. An internal affairs investigation is under way.
There is apparently home video of Kimble's arrest that more clearly shows the fight, but instead of letting the public be the judge, the home videographer is asking for thousands of dollars for the tape. NewsChannel5 does not pay for videotape.