HIGH POINT, N.C. — WFMY News 2 is looking into excessive force allegations tied to the High Point Police Department(HPPD).
We learned Thursday the officers involved are not on administrative leave.
High Point police said that only happens in use-of-force cases resulting in death or serious injury.
The incident took place Monday night, and five officers were involved in the arrests.
A video was recorded from inside the Intown Suites on North Main Street.
This happened after a shoplifting call at the Walmart a few minutes earlier.
The 911 said, "just stopped somebody for stealing, and he's getting very aggressive and argumentative right now."
The 911 operator asked what the suspect stole, and the caller said, "it looks like food items."
According to court documents, Sprite, Dr. Pepper, gummy worms, Nutella, and other food items totaling just over $100 were taken.
The documents said officers tried arresting a man for shoplifting.
But before the video started, court documents said the suspect hit one officer with his shoulder and another with his elbow.
Documents go on to say the suspect refused to put his hands behind his back and wouldn't get into the police car.
That suspect, charged with shoplifting, aces all misdemeanors, which include assault on a government official, resisting a public officer, larceny, and possession of marijuana.
A second suspect is charged with resisting a public officer.
WFMY News 2 asked HPPD for a copy of its Use of Force policy.
It states that an officer's use of force is reasonable based on the crime committed and if the suspect poses an immediate threat.
Officers may use department-approved non-lethal force to effectively make an arrest, protect themselves, restrain someone, or bring an unlawful situation safely under control.
The policy said normally, officers are not to strike anyone in the head with a weapon. Only under circumstances that threaten serious injury or death is an officer able to strike someone in the head.
De-escalation is the preferred method for a resolution.
Officer response is based on a force level, depending on the situation.
High Point Interim Police Chief Curtis Cheeks released a statement Wednesday regarding the two arrests Monday night.
Part of that statement reads, "I am aware of a video posted on social media of five High Point Police Department officers making an arrest. The video posted only shows a portion of the arrest and does not provide accurate context to the actions of any of the parties involved before, during, and after the arrest. While we follow our established protocols for review after a use of force, we want to provide details about the call officers responded to and explain what happens when officers are involved in any use of force."
The police chief referenced one video but there are several videos posted on social media.
WFMY News 2 received permission to show one of those videos. It shows five officers arresting two men, and it runs around three minutes long.
The video was recorded from inside the InTown Suites on North Main Street. It shows a man on the ground and several officers from the High Point Police Department.
Police said it started as a larceny call at the Walmart on North Main around 11:30 p.m. and the investigation led officers to the InTown Suites. The High Point Police Department said officers at the InTown Suites reported that the suspect physically resisted arrest. Police said a second suspect was also charged with resisting arrest.
In the video, officers are seen throwing punches and using a baton. There also appears to be pepper spray and a taser. Police eventually take the suspect away.
WFMY News 2's Amber Lake talked to the man who recorded the video, who said he started recording shortly after the incident started. He said his kids watched as all this was happening and they were scared. He said he talked with the suspect's wife moments after the arrest, who couldn't believe what was happening.
WFMY News 2 is continuing to dig into this investigation and will share more when new information is available.
Below are full statements provided by the interim chief and High Point Mayor Cyril Jefferson. WFMY News 2 has removed the suspects' names from the statements at this time, as we work to learn more.
Full statement from High Point Police Interim Chief Curtis Cheeks:
"I am aware of a video posted on social media of five High Point Police Department officers making an arrest. The video posted only shows a portion of the arrest and does not provide accurate context to the actions of any of the parties involved before, during, and after the arrest. While we follow our established protocols for review after a use of force, we want to provide details about the call officers responded to and explain what happens when officers are involved in any use of force. First, every use of force is reviewed. This is standard procedure. The use of force from the night of April 8 will be reviewed, just like all others. The review process starts with a supervisor and goes all the way up to the Chief of Police. The review is a thorough, multi-step process that looks at how an officer utilized training and equipment, and evaluates whether the officer followed our department’s policy. During that review, all videos, statements, and factors are used during the assessment of actions. Here is a summary of how officers came in contact with the individuals involved - On April 8, at about 11:30 p.m., officers received a call for service about shoplifting at Walmart (2710 N. Main Street). The caller said the suspect was being aggressive with the store’s loss prevention officers. The suspect, [redacted], left the store and High Point Police Department officers found him at InTown Suites (2860 N. Main Street). Officers tried to arrest [redacted] (who was initially cooperative) and he began to physically resist being arrested. Officers on scene called for additional units who assisted in eventually placing [redacted] into custody. Officers arrested [redacted] and charged him with resist, delay or obstruct a public officer, assault on a government official, possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance, and larceny. [Redacted] was given no bond and served with two outstanding orders for arrest. A second person, [redacted], was also charged with resist, delay and obstruct a public officer."
Full statement from High Point Mayor Cyril Jefferson:
“Dear Residents of High Point,
I want to address the recent incident involving our police department, which has garnered attention and raised concerns within our community. The details provided by our police chief and city manager outline the events that occurred on April 8 at approximately 11:30 p.m. near Walmart on North Main Street.
According to the information shared, officers responded to a call regarding a larceny and located the suspects nearby at In Town Suites. During the course of arresting the suspect, [redacted], it was reported that he physically resisted arrest. Consequently, [redacted] was charged with multiple offenses including resisting a public officer, assault on a government official, possession of a controlled substance, and larceny.
Additionally, a second individual, [redacted], was charged with resisting a public officer for interfering with the arrest of [redacted].
The High Point Police Department will conduct a thorough review of the use of force in this incident. This review is standard procedure to ensure that our officers adhere to department policies, receive proper training, and utilize equipment appropriately.
I understand the concerns expressed by members of our community who have viewed some portions of the event that were captured in video footage on social media. It is important to emphasize that at this early stage, we must allow the internal review process to unfold in a fair and objective manner. Drawing conclusions prematurely could hinder the integrity of the investigation.
Transparency and accountability are paramount to maintaining trust and confidence in our police department. As your Mayor, I am confident that this review will be conducted with the utmost diligence. I appreciate the engagement of our community members who have reached out to voice their concerns. Your input is valuable as we work towards ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents in High Point.
Let us continue to uphold the principles of fairness and justice as we navigate this matter together.
Sincerely,
Cyril Jefferson
Mayor of High Point"