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Video Shows Officer Hitting Prisoner
09/02/08 - 04:18 PM
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Mark Jenkins - bio
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A Panama City Police officer roughs up a prisoner and it’s all caught on tape.

The video shows Sgt. Jimmy War punching John Paul Kimbro twice for not co-operating with officers.  Kimbro was first shoved into the wall, then slammed on the ground.  Moments later, Warr struck Kimbro in the neck.  Surveilance cameras in Panama City Beach Police Department’s booking room rolled on the entire altercation.

“We were a bit disturbed by what we saw there,” says Maj. Dave Humphreys of the Panama City Beach Police Department.”

Humphreys says the abuse began after Kimbro refused to cooperate with officers and have his picture taken.  Sgt. Warr grabbed Kimbro’s arm.  The reason he struck?  Kimbro tensed up.

“Which is a common thing that happens before somebody assaults an officer,  you have them by the arm and they tense up.  That’s some of the things we’re trained in.  But is this clear in the video tape?  No it’s not.”

Humphreys says Kimbro shouldn’t have been arrested in the first place.  Officers saw him walking near closed businesses in dark clothes.  When they asked for his identification, Kimbro refused.

“The officer does have every legal right to demand your driver’s license or identification.  But It’s not Nazi Germany, you don’t have to present your papers just because you’re walking down the street.”

Humphreys says failure to produce ID is an arrestible offense when you’re suspected of a crime.  “Had he been shaking the doors, had he been lurking around unlocked cars, some other thing that caused heightened alarm then we’re okay to go forward, but in this case it didn’t exist.”

After being released from jail, Kimbro filed a complaint, but did not press charges.  An internal investigation found Warr guilty of neglect of duty.  He was suspended for five days, and later resigned.

User Comments

As a matter of fact, Yes, it is an arrestable offense to REFUSE to show your Identification. Not having it on you is only a ticket, but refusing to show it or give them your information can get you taken downtown. The kid was being a ##### and deserved to go downtown. The officer had no reason to punch the kid, but every right to physically restrain him and cuff him.
Had the kid given his information and been co-operative he never would have gone downtown and been placed in that situation.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  09/03  at  02:49 PM

some officers think they are the only one that is in the right they will tell you too shut up or go to jail

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  09/02  at  06:24 PM
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