Virginia police chief calls controversial traffic stop of US Army officer 'a teaching moment'

[riversedge]

Virginia police chief calls controversial traffic stop of US Army officer 'a teaching moment'

By Rebekah Riess and Ray Sanchez, CNN

Updated 8:00 PM ET, Wed April 14, 2021


Attorney for 2nd Lt. Nazario: He was terrified he was going to get shot 03:09

(CNN) The police chief of Windsor, Virginia, said Wednesday that a traffic stop in which two officers pointed guns at a US Army officer, pepper-sprayed him and pushed him to the ground was "a teaching moment" and that he wished the soldier had followed commands.

Second Lt. Caron Nazario feared for his life during the December 5 traffic stop by two Windsor police officers, according to his attorney.

Windsor Police Chief R.D. Riddle told reporters Wednesday that an internal investigation into the police encounter was launched three days after the traffic stop. Without elaborating, Riddle said disciplinary action was taken after the investigation was completed in late January. Riddle said body camera video of the incident was released to Lt. Nazario's attorney in December.

The chief called the handling of the traffic stop "a teaching moment" for his seven officer department. Though the two officers de-escalated their use of force by switching from their weapons to Tasers and eventually pepper spray, Riddle said they missed opportunities to verbally defuse the situation.......................

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[wnylib]

1. Did they get police chief Riddle's initials right?

Shouldn't his first name be Tom?

(Clue: Harry Potter series)

[malthaussen]

2. Trying to have it both ways, Chief?

If the officers were at fault, to the point where they needed "teaching" and disciplinary action, then why the gratuitous victim blaming at the end of the statement. "My officers acted improperly, I wish the citizen had complied with their improper actions."

-- Mal

[lark]

3. I hope Lt. Nasario gets a big payday and the police are reformed there.

These officers were out of control and this police chief is an ass too. None of this is good, none and trying to excuse their totally unacceptable behavior is just regular piggist police BS. All 3 of them need to go and i'd bet the rest of the dept. is probably as bad.

[Aristus]

4. To Hell with a "teaching moment". Make it a LEARNING moment!

Make the pigs learn...