NAACP Calls for Federal Probe of Laurel Police after Videotaped Beating of Arrested, Handcuffed Black Man - other Officers Watched

From [HERE] and [HERE] The NAACP wants Laurel’s police department investigated by federal prosecutors. The call stems from cell phone video taken last month that shows an officer punching  a Black man in handcuffs at least three times outside the Laurel Station Bar and Grill. Leaders with the Prince George’s County chapter of the NAACP say it shows police brutality and they want the Justice Department to step in. They also want a federal probe into what they call racial profiling and discrimination in hiring. The officer in the video is currently on administrative duty.

The city of Laurel is facing a $3 million lawsuit from the Black man who has accused a city police officer of striking him in the face while he was being handcuffed outside a bar. The lawsuit, filed Aug. 8 by D’Ante’ Williams of the 4100 block of Parkwood Court in Cottage City, says Williams was handcuffed outside the Laurel Station Bar & Grill when he was hit in the face several times by PFC J. Diaz-Chavarria. Williams now is calling for a jury trial in circuit court for $3 million on claims of personal injury and mental anguish. [SEE video on TV report -

The Aug. 5 incident stemmed from a disorderly conduct call Laurel police received from bar, 14933 Baltimore Ave., around 2 a.m.

In an Aug. 6 interview, city spokeswoman Carreen Koubek said several men were taken into custody for disorderly conduct early that morning, although she said she did not know how many were charged.

Koubek said the city was made aware of the incident after a shift supervisor reported it to the chief of police. In an Aug. 6 interview, Koubek said in her 19 years of working with the city, she’s never witnessed or been aware of any similar incidents of officer misconduct similar.

A cell phone video of the incident was recorded by a Laurel resident who was at the scene and first submitted it to WRC-TV, an NBC television network affiliate, and Koubek said the city was made aware of the video.

Koubek said because the city now is aware that a lawsuit was filed, attorney Robert Manzi is handling further comments. Calls to Manzi were not returned Monday.

Craig Reddix, the man who recorded the video, said he was with some friends at a nearby IHOP restaurant and noticed police activity and decided to see what was happening. He said he witnessed “blatant police brutality” and said Williams was complying with police.

“Police sometimes get out of control. Not all those guys are bad, don’t get me wrong,” he said. “But somebody as we speak is probably getting jacked up by police.”

Reddix would not say whether he has had personal experiences with police brutality, and said he does not want to become a target for mistreatment.

According to online Prince George’s County District Court records, Williams was charged with second-degree assault, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. He was taken to the department of corrections Aug. 5 and released on bond Aug. 6.

According to the lawsuit, Williams said the officer used excessive force and his actions were done with actual malice, claiming the officer acted with the intent and capability to do bodily harm.

Williams’ attorney, Upper Marlboro-based lawyer Jimmy A. Bell, also states in the lawsuit that the other officers on scene did nothing to stop Diaz-Chavarria from hitting Williams and that the city failed to properly train and supervise the officer. Koubek would not say how long Diaz-Chavarria has been on the force.

Bell said the incident violates Williams’ constitutional rights because the officer allegedly used excessive force.

Bell would not comment on what Williams was doing that night that led to his arrest, but said he was in “excruciating pain” from the alleged assault.

“It doesn’t matter what he was doing that night. He was handcuffed, was videotaped and was in compliance with police and they struck him in the face three times,” he said. “He didn’t have a legal right to do that. My client was clearly in compliance.”

The Prince George’s County chapter of the NAACP is planning to stage a protest outside of Laurel City Hall during the next council meeting on Sept. 10, said Bob Ross, chapter president.

“There are serious things going on with the law and it raises eyebrows. We need more people to come forth,” Ross said. “In the case with the handcuffs, that is a piece that has opened up Pandora’s Box.”

Ross said why the chapter is so focused on the Laurel issue is because the officer allegedly slapped Williams in the face, which can be taken as an insult.

“It brings back old memories of slaves where they use to hassle you,” Ross said.

Bell said he is glad to see NAACP protesting the alleged act of misconduct.

“It appears that this department has had problems that go beyond my client and my client was just the match,” he said.