Even T-town cops are involved in isolated incidents.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Three police officers were suspended with pay Monday after videos posted online showed officers using a stun gun and a baton to break up a party and arrest three young people near the University of Alabama.
Chief Steve Anderson of the Tuscaloosa Police Department said he was “deeply disturbed†by what he had seen in the videos and disappointed in the actions of the officers.
The officers were responding to a noise complaint about 3:20 a.m. Sunday at an apartment building about a block from Bryant-Denny Stadium, where Alabama had defeated Louisiana State University in a football game hours earlier. The videos show a Tuscaloosa officer at the apartment’s door, arguing with occupants who refuse to exit.
“Please let go of him,†one of the young men says while the officer tries to lead another person out. “You are illegally entering.â€
The person gets away from the officer and goes back inside, and the officer follows him in.
After nearly two minutes of discussion and arguing, officers drag out two young men and a screaming woman. An officer uses a stun gun on at least one of the men; another officer hits him repeatedly with what appears to be a baton.
Three students will be charged with offenses including resisting arrest, harassment and obstruction, Chief Anderson said. Their names and the names of the officers were not released.
Discarded beer cans, bottles and a pair of underwear still littered the building’s walkways Monday afternoon.
“We were downstairs when the first officer rolled up, and then they cut the music and everyone’s like, ‘Oh, looks like they’re about to tell us to shut it down,’ †Devin McDade, 22, said.
The university said three of its officers had responded after a Tuscaloosa officer requested emergency assistance. The school said it was reviewing whether its officers had acted properly.
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