People are demanding answers from the #GalvestonPoliceDepartment after a picture of two officers on horseback walking a handcuffed Black man on a leash has gone viral.
The picture, which has been shared by social justice activists including #ShaunKing, shows the handcuffed man walking between the two mounted officers as they lead him on a leash to a mounted patrol unit. Â The incident reportedly happened on Saturday, according to @kprc2,
Police said the man in the picture is 43-year-old Donald Neely. He was arrested and charged with criminal trespassing, according to police. Authorities added that they were familiar with Neely and were aware that he had been warned against trespassing at the location where he was arrested.
Many people deemed the picture racist in nature and the police department’s chief responded saying, “Although this is a trained technique and best practice in some scenarios, I believe our officers showed poor judgment in this instance and could have waited for a transport unit at the location of arrest.”
“My officers did not have any malicious intent at the time of the arrest, but we have immediately changed the policy to prevent the use of this technique and will review all mounted training and procedures for more appropriate methods,” Galveston PD Chief Vernon L. Hale III said.
Police said the officers’ body cameras were active at the time of the man’s arrest.
Ultimately the department’s sentiments were that it understands the negative perceptions of the arrest and officials believe that it is most appropriate to stop using the leash technique.
We’ll keep you posted on any further updates, Roommates.
TSR STAFF: Christina C! @cdelafresh
