Chief Responds To Criticism After Police Incident In Norristown

NORRISTOWN, PA — Facing a wave of backlash following his reaction to a video of an arrest in Norristown posted on social media, police Chief Mark Talbot published an impassioned rebuttal clarifying his position.

Apparently some residents took issue with Talbot's initial statements regarding the video, which showed police breaking up a fight. One officer appeared to draw his weapon when a bystander approached. Talbot said he had "concerns" with the incident, which sparked the ire of some who thought police had done nothing wrong (video below). In response, Talbot said:

"I’m concerned with my obligation to lead and support my police officers I’m concerned about failing neighborhoods that seem to have been perfectly designed to produce suffering I’m concerned about the lives of cops who are often alone when dealing with problems that are years in the making I’m concerned about failing schools and failing families I’m concerned about the vicious criticisms heaped upon the police by some I’m concerned about the reflexive and thoughtless defense of the police by others I’m concerned with the victims that the police see day after day I’m concerned about keyboard warriors who have done nothing dangerous in their lives yet criticize those who do it everyday I’m concerned with those on the outside that don’t understand the pain and frustration inside marginalized communities I’m concerned with my commitments to the citizens that I’ve sworn to protect and serve I’m concerned about poverty and bias and blight I’m concerned when concentrated disadvantage is foisted upon the police, prosecutors and prisons And finally, I’m concerned with the righteous indignation of those who would simply have me ignore my community when they express themselves."

Original story

Police are investigating after a video showing two officers breaking up a street fight has gone viral on social media.

The video appears to show police breaking up two women wrestling in the street. The officers do not appear to use force, beyond separating the pair. One of the officers takes one of the women involved off away from the other combatant, and begins to arrest her.

That's when a bystander appears to approach, and the officer draws his firearm, telling him to back up. The bystander puts his hands up and backs up, and the officer holsters his weapon.

The video, posted to Instagram, also shows bystanders throwing cans and other trash either at police or at the women fighting as they try to break up the scrum.

Norristown Police Chief Mark Talbot said that authorities are conducting a full investigation and that an outside agency is reviewing the video to provide an unbiased source.

Talbot said he "understood" the concerns that had been expressed on social media about the video, which appear to center around pulling the gun and perhaps words said by an officer to the women fighting.

"During the course of my nearly five years as police chief, the Norristown Police Department has developed a tremendous reputation for serving our community," he said in a statement. "We’ve built this reputation through thousands of acts of kindness and compassion. We do not take lightly the trust and confidence that we have been granted by the public."

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Warning: video and post below has explicit language.

A post shared by @miink__ on Jun 4, 2018 at 4:01pm PDT

Patch file photo