Stoughton Police Respond To Video Accusing Excessive Use Of Force

STOUGHTON, MA — The Stoughton Police Department released a statement regarding two videos that surfaced of Stoughton Police tasing and using force to detain a 17-year-old black woman at the Evelyn House. The videos made their way around social media and reignited debate over police departments' use of force.

Due to explicit language and age of person involved, Patch is not posting the videos directly. One was posted to WFXT's Facebook page. The other that shows the beginning of the altercation can be found here.

In a statement to the Stoughton News Facebook Group, Stoughton Police Lt. John Bonney said:

“We are aware and have seen the video that has made its way around social media. Because this event involved a nearly 17 year old juvenile we are limited in what we can discuss. We can say the two videos posted do not depict the entire altercation.

We received a number of calls to 94 Prospect St for a report of a disturbance. Staff of the Evelyn House reported being threatened with violence. Once it was learned that the police were called the staff was further threatened with violence for making the call for help. This is a home we have responded to many times in the past for similar calls. Within the 24 hour period of this event the Stoughton Police Department responded to 3 separate incidents at the same address involving different individuals. While this incident was taking place our dispatch center received a second 911 call for help from within the Evelyn House.

Two officers were originally dispatched and they called for a supervisor as this call had a number of people who were acting with volatility. Because of this the supervisor called for more officers to respond upon his arrival. Detectives and Detail officers had to leave their posts to respond for assistance. One adult was arrested and charged with impeding a police investigation, disorderly conduct, and Assault and battery on a police officer. A supervisor and a patrolman were punched, slapped, and scratched during the encounter.

Every use of force deployed by our department goes through a multi level review. This case will be no different. We will further state the supervisor involved in this call suffered injuries that required medical attention at a nearby hospital. When it comes to a violent altercation we can not just call a time out to ask for identification to determine the offending parties age. As it relates to use of force, it is dictated by the offending party regardless of age or gender. Once you are told you are under arrest you can not resist or become assaultive. The courts have said time and time again that police officers do not have to take unnecessary risks with their safety.”

Image Credit: James Bentley