Ada released bodycam video of a DUI arrest after people expressed concerns over the use of force

1 year ago
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0:00 - Female officer
9:03 - Male officer
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The city of Ada released bodycam video of a DUI arrest after some people expressed concerns over the use of force during the encounter.

The incident happened at a Walmart parking lot in Ada Monday afternoon. Videos recorded by bystanders showed several officers apparently trying to arrest a man, identified by police as Justin Glaspey. A fourth officer then rushed to Glaspey, jumped up, and hit the suspect in the head and shoulder area. The group of officers subsequently brought Glaspey to the ground. An officer then repeatedly punched Glaspey in what appeared to be his shoulder area while the suspect was lying on his stomach and the other officers were kneeling over him, the videos showed.

Ada Police said in their report that they responded to the Walmart after getting a call that Glaspey may have been driving while under the influence. The report later stated that the suspect had a red face, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and the smell of alcohol on his breath.

Bodycam video showed one of the responding Ada officers approaching Glaspey, who was sitting in his vehicle.

"We got a caller that was concerned about you, and we're just doing a welfare check on you," the officer told Glaspey.

After saying, he was fine, Glaspey drove away from the officer, the bodycam video showed.

"Hey, stop, stop stop, stop!" the officer yelled.

A short time later, the suspect stopped his vehicle.

"Why did you pull away from me?" the officer asked.

"Because I don't have anything to talk to you about," Glaspey responded.

The bodycam video then showed that officer and another Ada officer repeatedly yelling for Glaspey to get out of his vehicle. But he refused to do so. One of the officers then pulled Glaspey's arm, to which Glaspey responded, "I'm not that guy."

The other Ada officer warned Glaspey that she would use her stun gun if he did not comply. But Glaspey remained in his seat, prompting the officer to deploy her stun gun. The bodycam video showed the suspect not reacting much after being hit. He then tossed the stun gun leads back toward the officer, according to the footage.

"Get out of the car!" the officer said.

"You're still not telling a reason why," Glaspey replied.

According to the police report, the officer's arm locked up when the stun gun leads hit her. Her bodycam video showed that the suspect still refused to leave his vehicle.

"You're intoxicated. Get out of the car! I can smell it coming from your breath," the officer told Glaspey.

The bodycam video showed that Glaspey eventually stepped out of his vehicle after Chickasaw Lighthorse Police arrived with a pepper ball gun. But the suspect appeared to move his arms away when an officer tried to handcuff him.

"Bro, just stop," the suspect said.

That was when a Lighthorse officer jumped up and hit Glaspey in what appeared to be the side of his head and his right shoulder, the bodycam video showed.

The two Ada officers and two Lighthorse officers then collectively brought Glaspey down to the ground and yelled for him to put his hands behind his back. But the bodycam video showed that the suspect did not appear to comply.

A Lighthorse officer then began punching Glaspey repeatedly on the right shoulder, according to the bodycam video. The police report said the strikes were an attempt to free the suspect's arms from underneath him, so he could be handcuffed.

Another officer then used a stun gun on Glaspey's back, but the suspect did not appear to move his arms, the bodycam video showed. The same Lighthorse officer who delivered the punches on Glaspey's right shoulder then punched the suspect's left shoulder.

But the suspect apparently bit the Lighthorse officer, prompting the officer to deliver a flurry of blows toward the suspect's head, the bodycam video showed.

"Don't bite me!" the officer shouted.

"Quit f------ hitting me, mother------," Glaspey responded.

"Give us your f------ hands!" an officer yelled.

Police were able to handcuff Glaspey a short time later, according to the bodycam video.

"I wasn't even driving when you came up to me," Glaspey said while sitting in the back of a squad car.

"All you have to have is physical control," an officer responded.

An Ada spokesperson said city officials declined to comment on camera, but were looking into the incident. Chickasaw Lighthorse Police also declined to comment on camera. But Commissioner Randy Wesley said in a statement that "an internal investigation is underway."

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