Termination proceedings have been initiated against Miami-Dade police officer named Anthony Rodriguez, after he was seen misbehaving with a woman, at Miami International Airport.
The incident took place on Tuesday evening and everything was recorded in the police body camera and the video circulated all over the social media platforms. County Mayor Gimenez said, “The strike was way too excessive use of force.”
On this the officer has stated in the arrest affidavit that the women were upset with ticket agents after she missed her flight, he also added that he struck Paris Sharon Anderson, 21 as a reflexive action, after she struck him in his chin with her head, when he was trying to pursue her to move on.
Anderson too was arrested on initial charges of battery against police, a felony and disorderly conduct and a misdemeanour. Though, a fair investigation has been called by the representative of the police officers.
In a statement Steadman Stahl, president of the Miami-Dade Police Benevolent Association said that “After viewing the video, we believe that there should not be a rush to judgement as all information should be evaluated.
It seems some, have condemned the officer prior to the investigation beginning and all we ask is that he be afforded the same due process as all citizens.”
The video doesn’t show the full encounter though, the only thing that is visible is Rodriguez standing near the women and talking to her, and another officer is seen at the officer terminal building.
“You are acting like you Black” Anderson was heard saying to Rodriguez, but she again said correcting the line “You are acting like you White when you are really Black”. Though, the lines of Rodriguez are unclear in the recording.
It is clearly seen that Anderson steps closer to Rodriguez, and speaking right in front of his face “What are you going to do?”
The affidavit says “This officer immediately took a step back, struck her on the left side of the face with an open hand. She stumbled backwards and at that time she was taken to the floor where she was taken into custody.”
