Title: Disturbing Video Shows a Cop Brutally Beat a Child for Riding Her Bike, Charges HER with Assualt Source:
Free Thought Project URL Source:http://thefreethoughtproject.com/co ... -riding-bike-mall-parking-lot/ Published:May 14, 2016 Author:Matt Agorist Post Date:2016-05-14 12:42:40 by Deckard Keywords:None Views:29707 Comments:194
Tacoma, WA On May 24, 2014, 15-year-old Monique Tillman and her brother were riding their bikes when they were stopped and this young girl brutally assaulted by Tacoma Police Officer Jared Williams.
Tillman and her brother had done nothing wrong, and were merely targetted by this public servant because they had the unfortunate luck to have crossed paths with him.
As the duo travelled home, they cut through a mall parking lot, as they had done countless times before. However, this time, Officer Williams was in that parking lot, in his full Tacoma Police department uniform, yet off-duty, working as mall security. As the teens travelled through the lot, Williams began pursuit of these hardened criminals and accused them of trespassing.
Knowing theyd done nothing wrong, Monique attempted to explain to the officer that they cut through the parking lot all the time on their way home. However, this tyrant was having nothing of it.
As the duo attempted to ride away from a man whose intentions were clearly unscrupulous, Williams attacked. A recently released surveillance video shows the disturbing scene that unfolded next.
This heroic officer ripped the girl from her bike and slammed her up against a parked car with his hand around her neck. As the child struggled to breathe, this abusive tyrant grabbed her by the hair and flung her around like a rag doll.
Clearly overpowering the small child, half his size, the officer wasnt satisfied with the damage hed inflicted so far. So, for good measure, Williams pulled out his taser and sent 50,000 volts into this poor girl.
He was choking me, grabbed me by my hair and tried to slam my face into the concrete. The next thing I know, Im on the ground being tased, Tillman said.
Now face down, tasered, handcuffed and brutalized, Williams stood over his victim like a hunter and his kill. He had protected society from the likes of a dangerous brother and sister riding their bicycles.
Williams then arrested Monique and charged her with resisting arrest and, get this, assault on an officer.
After viewing the surveillance video of the incident, however, all of the charges were thrown out.
Vito de la Cruz, Tillmans attorney, has filed a lawsuit seeking damages from Officer Williams, the Simon Property Group who owns the Tacoma Mall and Universal Protection Services, the private security company in charge of Tacoma Mall security.
A child riding a bike should not have to worry that a police officer will stop her without legal cause and brutalize her, said de la Cruz. Our communities are weary of another African American child being hurt by unwarranted and excessive police force.
The Free Thought Project reached out the Tacoma PD to inquire about Williams current status and if any disciplinary action had been taken. However, our requests for comment were not returned.
Below is what policing in modern day America has become.
You were attempting to link criminal activity by others to the two kids riding their bikes, insinuating that the two kids must be guilty simply for living in the same neighborhood.
Truth is treason in the empire of lies. - Ron Paul
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
I have no idea ... do you think he should have been?
Yes. He pulled a gun out of his pants and gut shot someone standing 5 feet away. How could that not be attempted murder?
Now,if he were still being attacked or the other guy had already pulled his gun,that would be different.
BOYCOTT PAYPAL AND CLOSE YOUR PP ACCOUNTS NOW! ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO SO,TOO!
ISLAM MEANS SUBMISSION!
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when its the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
American Indians had open borders. Look at how well that worked out for them.
admitting against your will that she WAS trying to get away.
So what if she was?
The cop had no business stopping her, that much has already been established.
She was under no obligation to stay.
Looking at the video again, it's not clear that she was trying to get away. She moved the bike forward yes, but that's it.
Truth is treason in the empire of lies. - Ron Paul
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
A shopping center parking lot is by definition public property
By whose definition ... yours?
A shopping center parking lot is public property only is it is government owned.
If the shopping center parking lot is privately owned, then it is private property.
You will need to show me why a security guard hired by the private property owners cannot stop someone in the privately owned parking lot ... do so, please.
If society really wanted to stop this crap all they would have to do would be force mama out of the "free" government housing,cut off her check she is paid to take care of the children she is getting paid welfare to raise,and put her off sprung into child care where they could be taught manners. I can guarantee you that you won't have to cut off the "free" housing,paychecks,and food stamps to more than 2 or 3 professional baby mamas before the rest of them take a sudden and rabid interest in the conduct and activity of their bastard children.
Private security guards work for the private business that they are hired by. If your employer can search your stuff at work (part of terms of employment, company policy, or contract deal etc.), then the hired security guard can do so. Fourth amendment protection only applies to governmental intrusion. Security guards are not agents of the government.
If the shopping center parking lot is privately owned, then it is private property.
There you go again, still trying to find a way to defend the cop's actions.
The kids were riding their bikes through the parking lot as they had done numerous times before without incident.
I'm sure the owners of the mall (Simon Property Group) would be disgusted with the actions of the cop.
You - not so much
Truth is treason in the empire of lies. - Ron Paul
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
If your employer can search your stuff at work (part of terms of employment, company policy, or contract deal etc.), then the hired security guard can do so.
What were they searching for in this case?
Truth is treason in the empire of lies. - Ron Paul
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
Looking at the video again, it's not clear that she was trying to get away.
Oh, you HAD to LOOK at the video TWICE ... after you told me to "look at the video again?
You say it's not clear that she was trying to get away.
There is no audio, so it is not clear to me that she did not say, "you can't stop me for anything, you fucking pig and I am leaving rat now and you can't do anything about it ..."
I did notice it odd that there was a video from high above that actually followed the kids and the cop across the parking lot and the video stopped when they stopped. That could smack as a "set up" to me for a possible programmed confrontation with planned actions for the purpose of bleeding money from the city. Things like that have happened ... a number of times ... right? Not saying this is the case here ... just saying it has happened.
Of course the city dropped the charges, what else do you expect the PC government assholes to do this day and time ... the assholes are frightened of anything and everything this day and time.
Didn't say they were searching for anything ... just showing you that security can stop you on private property.
You are ready to admit the Tacoma Mall parking lot is private property ... right?
Most malls will not permit skate boarding or bike riding in their parking lot for liability reasons and because it endangers customers. This may have been the case here ... bicycling was prohibited. A possibility ...
You were attempting to link criminal activity by others to the two kids riding their bikes, insinuating that the two kids must be guilty simply for living in the same neighborhood.
Wrong, I was neither attempting nor insinuating anything.
I only wanted to watch you go through your completely programmed and practiced routine, making suppositions to fit your agenda and cause.
You did and I laughed at your standard reactions again while you were doing it..
it is not clear to me that she did not say, "you can't stop me for anything, you fucking pig and I am leaving rat now and you can't do anything about it ..."
Attaboy!
Truth is treason in the empire of lies. - Ron Paul
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
it is not clear to me that she did not say, "you can't stop me for anything, you fucking pig and I am leaving rat now and you can't do anything about it ..."
Attaboy!
We dont know why the security officer decided to stop them. It may have been an arbitrary decision by the security officer to do so, although I doubt that. I would lean more to him actively enforcing rules, regulations, policies and procedures as established by the mall management.
I have considered conjectures posted on this thread. Now, I will offer one of my own.
Suppose bicycle riding and skate boarding is prohibited in the Tacoma Mall parking lot in a written directive by management with posted signs (although posted signs are not legally required). Then suppose these kids had cut through the lot a number of times before (wait that is no supposition they admitted to doing that) and were told a number of times before to stop doing it. Suppose the security officer saw them doing the same thing again and stopped them. Then the kid challenged his authority, pulled away from him and started to leave.
We don't know that happened and we don't know that it didn't happen. We don 't know what actually happened ... other than what is perceived from the video.
All this does not excuse the officer from using excessive force, if that was determined to be the case by prominent authority. But, it may point out that the kids were not innocent victims just in field training for the next Black Lives Matter get together.
You fuckin bleeding heart liberals need to get with reality and stop falling hook, line and sinker for the thought channeling these professional propagandist put you through in their biased articles with an agenda.
Do I believe that is ever going to happen with you HELL, NO!!!
This girl didn't pull out a gun, didn't attack an officer, but she was assaulted in a vicious manner. Four against the girl and the boy, who did nothing, won the day. Come on, folks, no one likes a bully.
This girl didn't pull out a gun, didn't attack an officer, but she was assaulted in a vicious manner. Four against the girl and the boy, who did nothing, won the day. Come on, folks, no one likes a bully.
What did she do? You didn't watch the video, did you? If so, then where did you see "four" people? I missed that ...
I don't know what really happened, but it looks like he was writing her a citation and she started to leave. He grabbed her arm to retain her and she struggled.
Excessive speed is one of the restrictions posted against bicycle riders in most all mall parking lots. It is not possible to tell how fast the bicyclist were traveling, but it is readily apparent the security vehicle was traveling quite fast to catch up with them.
When he did, the officer listened patiently to the girl and then he apparently pulled a citation book from his right side shirt pocket and started to write a ticket. The girl started to leave and the security officer grabbed her to detain her. She struggled with him and he pinned her against a vehicle to restrain her. I would never have dropped the charges of resisting arrest she obviously did.
That is the way I see it you see it anyway you want to.
Top Republican Warns Obama Might Make Black People Immune From Prosecution Regardless Of The Crime
Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach (R) told listeners of his radio show that President Obama could absolve black people of all crimes and refuse to prosecute them in the future. He also implied that Attorney General Eric Holder is a reverse racist for not applying civil rights laws to white people.
During the weekly show, a caller named Stu postulated that Obama may announce in the future that a black person accused of a crime, charged with a crime, is not going to be prosecuted, regardless of the crime, based on his recent immigration action. He also argued that the government is already in the process of doing so, since Holder did not prosecute Black Panthers.
Kobach didnt dispute the claims, saying, Well, its already happened more or less in the case of civil rights laws. I guess its not a huge jump. I think its unlikely, but you know Ive learned to say with this president, never say never. He also claimed that Holder basically made it clear .that the civil rights laws were only to protect minority races, and he was not going to be enforcing them to the benefit of white people who were discriminated against on the basis of their race.
Excessive speed is one of the restrictions posted against bicycle riders in most all mall parking lots.
Good grief - is there no end to your absurdity?
Just how fast do you think the two kids were traveling? 5 mph? 10 mph?
This is just more of your usual deflection tactics in an attempt to to exonerate the cop.
Truth is treason in the empire of lies. - Ron Paul
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
I don't know. I don't know what happened for the officer to stop the kids, and neither do you.
These EDITED tapes NEVER show the BEFORE ... only the part they can draw perceived conclusions from. These cop-hating pseudo-journalists structure their presentation so carefully and lead gullible people, like yourself, down primrose path to believe what you already want to believe.
If the civil authorities continue to not back their officers ... that will lead to a point where the officers will say, "fuck it" and turn their heads to all infractions.
That will eventually lead to anarchy. But, wait ... anarchy is what you hope and pray for, I almost forgot.
4.13. Defendant Williams then handcuffed Plaintiff and put her into a patrol car.
Clearly, it is not Officer Williams who handcuffed Tillman. It is one of three security officers on the scene. Their uniforms are distinctive and different. Officer Williams stood aside as this took place.
4.14. Plaintiff was charged with assault on a police officer and resisting arrest, charges which were dismissed after trial.
This appears strange. Was Tillman found not guiltyafter trial? Did the trial proceed to its end? A clarification of what actually happened at trial would be helpful.
What injuries? The Complaint does not specify any physical injuries.
5.1. The acts and omissions of all Defendants proximately caused Plaintiff Monique Charlene Tillman to suffer physical injuries, physical and mental pain and suffering, embarrassment and discomfort.
Again, physical injuries are cited but not specified.
Tasered teen: 'It felt like electricity running through my veins'
By Elisa Jaffe KOMOnews.com Tuesday, February 10th
TACOMA, Wash. -- Monique Tillman said she's still shocked by the violent confrontation that unfolded with police last May in the Tacoma Mall parking lot.
Now she and the Tacoma Police Department have very different versions of how their violent confrontation transpired.
Tillman was 15-years old at the time and riding bikes on a Saturday with her 16-year-old brother. They'd left McDonald's and decided to take a short cut home through the mall's lot. Mall security ordered the teens to pull over, but officers say the kids didn't stop.
Security video shows Tillman, now 16, talking with an off-duty Tacoma Police officer hired by the mall for crime prevention. Their encounter rapidly escalates.
"He was just pulling my hair and like he was trying to slam my face into the ground," she said.
The officer looks to take out a note pad to write down information. Tillman said she didn't have identification and thought she was being racially profiled and told the officer that. Before the officer could write anything down, Tillman admits she tried to ride away. That's when he grabbed her.
"I did have a bit of an attitude, but that's because it was a waste of my time. I hadn't done anything wrong," she said.
The police report described the kids cutting off cars earlier, swearing and yelling at anyone who honked at them, and that the mall wanted them stopped and given a trespassing notice.
"I felt like they just see me as some black kid wanting to cause problems or something. And it was nothing like that," said the 11th grader.
The report claims Tillman, who says she's a straight A student at Bates Technical High School, became belligerent, swearing, screaming, and resisting until she was Tased by the Tacoma officer.
"It felt like electricity running through my veins instead of blood," she said.
That's when she stopped resisting and started cooperating. An attorney for the family plans to sue the Tacoma Police Department and the off-duty officer.
"This officer was obviously confused about what his powers were and he chose to exceed what he was allowed to do and hurt my client," said attorney Tom Balerud.
Balerud said the officer was performing a corporate function for the mall, not a police function, and abused his power. Tacoma Police Department Public Information Officer Loretta Cool disagrees.
Of the officer, Cool said, "His presence at the Tacoma Mall, even though off duty and paid by mall, he's a police officer and he's acting as a police officer."
He had his car, his uniform, and his Taser. Cool said the second he was called on to order the teens off the private property and turned his lights on, the officer was working on the city's payroll, not the mall's.
A department investigation into the use of force determined the officer could have used more force than he did on the teen when she fought back. Cool said it looked like he was going easy on the girl because of her age and size.
Balerud said the thought that more force would have been acceptable under department policy is reprehensible.
In his report, he claimed Tillman and her brother were cutting off cars with their bicycles and yelling and swearing at drivers.
Ah Ha! I knew that the didn't stop them just to write an invitation to his birthday party. I figured they must have committed some offense.
So, Deckard, Mister Always Right Cop-Hater ... will you ever wait until you have all the information available before you pass judgment on cops and find them guilty of everything.
This was a SURVEILLANCE tape made by the mall security camera.
Now you are claiming the video has been edited?
Truth is treason in the empire of lies. - Ron Paul
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
In his report, he claimed Tillman and her brother were cutting off cars with their bicycles and yelling and swearing at drivers.
Oh - he "claimed" that, did he?
Then why were the kids not charged with that offense?
Truth is treason in the empire of lies. - Ron Paul
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
In his report, he claimed Tillman and her brother were cutting off cars with their bicycles and yelling and swearing at drivers.
Oh - he "claimed" that, did he?
Then why were the kids not charged with that offense?
Because his good hearted nature caused him to be benevolent and his kindly feelings were motivated by sympathetic understanding to let her off with a verbal warning: Telling her she was causing a disturbance and going to be trespassed, or banned, from the mall. He also warned her that she could be arrested if she were to return. Besides, she was charged in juvenile court with resisting arrest and assaulting an officer .... to pile on charges against the lovely poor innocent girl who was so demure and polite while conforming to social norms would be cruel and inhumane.
Then why were the kids not charged with that offense?
You and people like you are the reason I arrested everyone that caused me to put my hands on them. astonishingly, many officers with bleeding libtarded hearts still lay hands on and then, feel bad and don't arrest. Then the liability suits come in for excessive force... and the scumbags attorney claims his client was an angel because he/she wasn't arrested. It doesn't pay to have a heart and soul... because of scumbags like you.
I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
Kids are becoming empowered and every day is like living in a war zone for them. Even small requests will set off fire works with these kids because they are unable to understand the word no.
They are determined to gain power through constant arguing. Their bullying and physical violence, coupled with their refusal to follow rules and assume responsibility for their actions, along with their cursing and threatening behavior needs to be addressed.
Dealing with oppositional defiant juveniles can be frustrating and exhausting. Excusing their uncivil actions by wrongfully misplacing blame on an officer performing his duty is an abomination.
A shopping center parking lot is by definition public property
By whose definition ... yours?
By any sane definition known to man.
Or do the words "open to the public" confuse you?
BOYCOTT PAYPAL AND CLOSE YOUR PP ACCOUNTS NOW! ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO SO,TOO!
ISLAM MEANS SUBMISSION!
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when its the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
American Indians had open borders. Look at how well that worked out for them.
The Future Felons of America and dey mama's might not like it,but it's still true.
BOYCOTT PAYPAL AND CLOSE YOUR PP ACCOUNTS NOW! ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO SO,TOO!
ISLAM MEANS SUBMISSION!
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when its the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
American Indians had open borders. Look at how well that worked out for them.
Private security guards work for the private business that they are hired by. If your employer can search your stuff at work (part of terms of employment, company policy, or contract deal etc.), then the hired security guard can do so. Fourth amendment protection only applies to governmental intrusion. Security guards are not agents of the government.
Where is this proven incorrect?
I know you have a limited attention span,so I will just point out that the kids riding through the parking lot were NOT employees of the corporation that owns the mall,and that bozo was wearing his city police uniform,not a security guard uniform. Which means he was representing the city to the public,not representing the mall corporation.
BOYCOTT PAYPAL AND CLOSE YOUR PP ACCOUNTS NOW! ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO SO,TOO!
ISLAM MEANS SUBMISSION!
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when its the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
American Indians had open borders. Look at how well that worked out for them.
There is no audio, so it is not clear to me that she did not say, "you can't stop me for anything, you fucking pig and I am leaving rat now and you can't do anything about it ..."
No,but we can only hope she was saying that or something similar.
People who don't speak up for their rights lose them.
BOYCOTT PAYPAL AND CLOSE YOUR PP ACCOUNTS NOW! ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO SO,TOO!
ISLAM MEANS SUBMISSION!
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when its the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
American Indians had open borders. Look at how well that worked out for them.
The police report described the kids cutting off cars earlier, swearing and yelling at anyone who honked at them, and that the mall wanted them stopped and given a trespassing notice.
You mean to tell me these two 15 and 16 year old kids had nothing better to do that spend a good part of the afternoon riding bicycles around a mall parking lot to deliberately cut off cars and cause people to beep their horns and scream at them,and they were doing this long enough for calls to 9-11 to be made and police to be dispatched to arrest those desperadoes?
Just how freaking likely is that?
BOYCOTT PAYPAL AND CLOSE YOUR PP ACCOUNTS NOW! ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO SO,TOO!
ISLAM MEANS SUBMISSION!
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when its the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
American Indians had open borders. Look at how well that worked out for them.
A shopping center parking lot is by definition public property By whose definition ... yours? By any sane definition known to man. Or do the words "open to the public" confuse you?
Sure I do.
Open to the Public - A shopping center lot is not a public parking lot if it's a privately owned parking lot belonging to the owner of the shopping mall. The people leasing the property or the owners of the property can tow you if you don't park according to their wishes. The privately owned parking lots at the shopping malls are open to the public to provide a great service by allowing us access to retail and office centers. The owners or management controls access to a privately owned shopping center parking lot open to the public. In Cincinnati recently private event club transitioned to a cocktail bar and lounge thats open to the public. While it is open to the public, the management or owners can have you leave if there is sufficient reason to. Open to the public does not mean it is public property, that the public can have access anytime they desire or do anything the want to. It is still private property if it is privately owned or owned by a corporation and they control the dos and don'ts.
Public property - Property owned by the government or one of its agencies, divisions, or entities. Commonly a reference to parks, playgrounds, streets, sidewalks, schools, libraries and other property regularly used by the general public.
Private property - Land not owned by the government or dedicated to public use.
Public Use - the only purpose for which private property can be taken (condemned) by the government under its power of eminent domain. Public use includes: schools, streets, highways, hospitals, government buildings, parks, water reservoirs, flood control, slum clearance and redevelopment, public housing, public theaters and stadiums, safety facilities, harbors, bridges, railroads, airports, terminals, prisons, jails, public utilities, canals, and numerous other purposes designated as beneficial to the public.
Dedication - The giving of land by a private person or entity to the government, typically for a street, park or school site, as part of and a condition of a real estate development. The local county or city (or other public body) must accept the dedication before it is complete. In many cases there are "dedicated" streets on old subdivision maps which were never officially accepted and, in effect, belong to no one. The adjoining property owners can sue for a judgment to give them the title to the unclaimed (unowned) street or property (quiet title action) or request abandonment by the government which did not accept the street or other property.
Ok,just watched the video and need to point out two things. The girl CLEARLY was trying to ride away on her bicycle when he first grabbed her,
Agreed.
and she was CLEARLY resisting arrest when he started tossing her around,choking her,and tasing her.
Not agreed. Once a cop starts that kind of treatment, even if it's warranted which in this case sure appears it was not, the person being so attacked is not legally liable for any kind of resistant or defensive action. Or shouldn't be. That is a completely natural and instinctive survival response. Only if they do something criminal BEFORE being treated like that should they be charged with resisting and/or assault. That's common sense, if common sense should ever apply in these cases.
The most important thing to point out is that HE HAD NO AUTHORITY TO STOP HER TO START WITH. A shopping center parking lot is by definition public property,and he has no legal or moral authority to stop anyone from entering it at any time of the day or night.
I think technically it is not public property, but rather, a place of public accommodation. But the difference is moot in this case.
I suspect "Mall security" has less authority to stop and apprehend than does a law enforcement officer. Insofar as this cop was not a "law enforcement officer" when working privately at the mall, he was not acting in the capacity of law enforcement. How much more limiting the authority granted is, we don't know. But that the police dept is not being sued in the case is evidence enough that the cop was not acting in the capacity of law enforcement.
Which nullifies the first point about her resisting arrest. He had no right to stop or try to arrest her,so she can't be charged with resisting an illegal arrest.
That's the way it should be. But the resisting charge was apparently tossed out, so the PTB's either agree with you or didn't see her resisting.
Officer Cartman was just having one of those "You WILL respect my authoritay!" moments. SOB should be fired and sued by both the city and the girls parents.
From the video he appears to love power trips and throwing his (and the girl's) weight around. That's probably why he decided to become a cop.
You mean to tell me these two 15 and 16 year old kids had nothing better to do that spend a good part of the afternoon riding bicycles around a mall parking lot to deliberately cut off cars and cause people to beep their horns and scream at them,and they were doing this long enough for calls to 9-11 to be made and police to be dispatched to arrest those desperadoes?
Read much before posting?
Officer Williams was at work, at the mall, paid by the mall. The juvenile delinquents were doing it long enough for Officer Williams and mall security to respond.
At #35:
Security video shows Tillman, now 16, talking with an off-duty Tacoma Police officer hired by the mall for crime prevention.
[...]
"This officer was obviously confused about what his powers were and he chose to exceed what he was allowed to do and hurt my client," said attorney Tom Balerud.
Balerud [attorney for Tillman] said the officer was performing a corporate function for the mall, not a police function, and abused his power. Tacoma Police Department Public Information Officer Loretta Cool disagrees.
Of the officer, Cool said, "His presence at the Tacoma Mall, even though off duty and paid by mall, he's a police officer and he's acting as a police officer."
He had his car, his uniform, and his Taser. Cool said the second he was called on to order the teens off the private property and turned his lights on, the officer was working on the city's payroll, not the mall's.
A department investigation into the use of force determined the officer could have used more force than he did on the teen when she fought back. Cool said it looked like he was going easy on the girl because of her age and size.