MANSFIELD, Ohio — Mansfield's police chief said the department is reviewing "any and all videos" associated with the arrests of a man and his 17-year-old son Monday after some in the community claimed police used excessive force against the teenager.
Police said they were called to the 500 block of West 4th Street Monday evening after two men got into an argument. Investigators said one of the men, Dwaine Chapman, threatened to sic his dog on the other man.
As police were arresting Chapman, they said his 17-year-old son crossed the street toward officers.
That's when the 17-year-old's friend said he pulled out his phone and began recording.
"He went over there originally to go check on him and then the police officer ran up behind him and tackled him," said the teen.
The video then showed police grab the handcuffed 17-year-old by the arm and appear to toss him behind a police car. An officer then appeared to grab the 17-year-old by the shirt collar and drag him.
In the video, the 17-year-old repeatedly tells police he's not resisting.
"When they saw me recording, they tried to drag him behind the car so I wouldn't get it," said the teen.
The mother of the 17-year-old told our sister station in Columbus that she believed police went too far.
"Throwing him to the ground on his head and on his shoulder and then tossing him around like a rag doll while he's already cuffed and it's on the tape, and dragging him by the collar of his shirt to the point he's being choked? I feel like that's excessive force and he's a minor," said Krystal McKinney.
The teen was cited for obstructing police and turned over to his mother.
On the tape, a police officer could be heard telling the teen who was recording the incident he was going to take his phone.
That teen refused and posted the video to social media in hopes people would see what happened.
"So they can see what's still going on in the world, that this is a big problem and see that was actually wrong," said the teen.
In a statement, Mansfield's police chief said the department understands the concerns that have been raised by the incident and said investigators are currently reviewing "any and all video associated with the arrests."
One of the officers, Jordan Moore, was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the internal investigation. Moore is a two-year-veteran of the department, police said.
The teen who recorded that video hopes the officers involved will be held accountable.
"If people can see what I've seen, then maybe it will make them see this is actually a problem," he said.
