Forceful Arrest Was Legal, Fairfax County Police Chief Says

ANNANDALE, VA — Fairfax County Police Chief Edwin Roessler is defending the conduct of the officers who arrested a man at the annual Annandale Parade over the weekend, according to reports.

A video shot by a bystander shows Mike Stark, 49, recording the arrival of Ed Gillespie, the Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate. A Fairfax County cop told Stark to back up off the street and to stay on the sidewalk, according to WTOP.

Stark backed up a bit, but continued to shout profanities with children and adults in earshot. Swearing in public is against the law in Fairfax County, WTOP reported.

“There’s awful events that are unfolding in the streets of America every single day,” Roessler said at a news conference Tuesday. “And it’s our role as law enforcement officers to protect our community and to enforce the law.”

“I can ensure I will remain transparent moving forward by providing updates to the community," he said.

As Stark continued yelling, which Roessler called "disorderly conduct," several officers took him down, pinning him to the ground. “We are law enforcement officers. It’s our role, our mission, our profession to protect our community. There were children and families at this event and we informed the gentleman (Stark) that he was under arrest.”

In the video, as two officers were attempting to detain Stark, one of them can be seen pulling his leg back, forcing Stark off balance, which led to him falling to the ground.

The take down was forceful, but Roessler said it was legal and asked the public to try seeing the officer's perspective. "The gentleman (Stark) is wearing a hooded sweatshirt. He does not know if this gentleman has a concealed weapon. He does not know what intent this gentleman has — whether it’s to create harm or something else,” Roessler said.

Stark, who said he doesn't think the arrest was legal, is being charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

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