San Jose family demands answers about police beating captured on video

Key Takeaways:

• Man Suffers Broken Nose During Arrest: A man was allegedly punched by police officers during an arrest in San Jose, resulting in significant injury.
• Teenagers Allegedly Assaulted for Filming: Teens who recorded the incident claim they were assaulted by officers, with one now needing a hearing aid.
• NAACP Claims Pattern of Excessive Force: The NAACP asserts this incident is part of a broader pattern of police misconduct in the area.
• Internal Investigation Underway: The San Jose Police Department has initiated an internal probe into the officers’ actions.
• Calls for Accountability Intensify: The family’s demands have escalated after the district attorney declined to press charges.

Allegations of Police Misconduct Spark Demands for Action

A San Jose family is calling for justice after a disturbing incident in which police officers allegedly assaulted a man and the teenagers who filmed the encounter. The incident, captured on video by teens on January 10 near the 76 gas station off South White Road in East San Jose, has raised serious concerns about police conduct and accountability.

Incident Caught on Camera

The man at the center of the incident suffered a broken nose after officers reportedly punched him during an arrest. According to a woman whose son filmed the event, everyone present was part of the same family. She recounted that after the video cuts off, officers slammed her son and another teen to the ground, punched them, and pressed a foot on one of their necks. One of the teenagers now requires a hearing aid due to injuries sustained.

Fearing retaliation, the mother declined to speak on camera but is resolute in seeking justice for her family. “They hit him with closed fists… punched him repeatedly,” she reported.

NAACP Raises Concerns

The NAACP, represented by Sean Allen of the Silicon Valley chapter, has taken up the family’s cause, asserting that this is not an isolated incident. “Police can’t be trusted to police themselves. They need oversight—now,” Allen stated emphatically. He believes the event underscores a troubling pattern of excessive force used by the San Jose Police Department (SJPD).

“This pattern needs to stop. We’re filing complaints with the police department. It’s time for real action,” Allen declared, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to pursuing accountability.

Police Department’s Response

In response to the allegations, the SJPD acknowledged that officers were dispatched in relation to reports of reckless driving. Their statement read:

“Several suspects were contacted, including one who resisted arrest, which led to the use of force. An internal investigation is underway to determine if the officers’ actions followed department policy, law, and professional standards.”

The department confirmed that a complaint has been filed and that their internal affairs unit is conducting a thorough investigation. Additionally, the independent police auditor is monitoring the case to ensure transparency and impartiality.

Calls for Accountability After DA’s Decision

The family’s quest for justice intensified after learning that the district attorney declined to press charges against the officers involved. This decision has sparked further outrage and a renewed demand for systemic change within the law enforcement community.

KRON4 reached out to San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s office and the district attorney for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication.

Community Demands Change

The incident has galvanized community leaders and organizations who are calling for immediate reforms. “We need real change now,” asserted Allen, echoing the sentiments of many who are frustrated with what they perceive as a lack of accountability.

As the investigation unfolds, the family and supporters remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice, hoping that increased scrutiny will lead to meaningful action and prevent future incidents of alleged police misconduct.