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UPDATE: Springettsbury Township Police Chief to launch internal investigation into alleged police brutality

Reported by: Christina Butler

Contributor: Rachel Snody
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Updated: 3/15 8:21 pm
UPDATE:

On Friday afternoon, Springettsbury Township Police Chief Thomas Hyers released the following statement:

"As Chief of Police for Springettsbury Township, I have requested The Office of District Attorney Thomas Kearney, and Chief of York County Detectives Darryl Albright, conduct an investigation in the incidents involving Ms. Williams and Mr. Landis. They have agreed to handle the investigation and I have directed that all incident related material in both incidents be forwarded to their respective offices by the close of business today. Additionally, I have placed Corporal Gregory Hadfield, Patrolman Chad Moyer, and Patrolman William Polizzotto, on Administrative Desk Duty effective immediately pending the outcome of the investigation."
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In York County, federal lawsuits have been filed against a local police department, claiming officers beat two people in separate incidents.

The lawyer who filed the lawsuit is sharing the video.  We are warning you, the video may be offensive to some.

According to Attorney Devon Jacob, the dash cam video shows two Springettsbury Township Police Officers beating Debra Williams.  "She was handcuffed and shackled, tasered in the calf and punched, slapped and had her throat grabbed.  She was thrown in back of  the police car.  It's as clear as day on video."

Jacob says Patrolman Chad Moyer who struck Williams, while another officer does nothing to stop him.

In the second case, Steven Landis is thrown to the ground after he raises his hands instead of putting them behind his back as requested by Moyer.  "Probably because we see it on TV all the time.  It was the first time in his life he was arrested.  There was a warrant for a small incident earlier in evening, and he didn't even know there was warrant that existed at the time."

Jacob says Moyer threatened Landis and then drove his knee into his side, breaking five ribs.  Another officer tased him two times while he was on the ground.

Both Landis and Williams were charged with resisting arrest.  But Jacob says, those charges may not be the reason. "This was clearly done to cover up and explain why they were walking away from these arrests with injuries.  It's very clear from the video. 

The dash cam videos were discovered while trying to defend that charge, which Jacob says, means the District Attorneys Office saw them.

Jacob says none of the officers were questioned or taken off the street.
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The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of WHP CBS 21 [Harrisburg]

charlie1977 - 3/16/2013 11:14 AM
0 Votes
justin people like you stupid, mindless, compliant sheep, is why these cops get away with this. this is not American, this isnt justice, and these people where complying watch the video your insane if you think they were. line these guys up and every single person like this justin guy, against a wall and execute them as traitors to the American people.

manasponge - 3/16/2013 9:31 AM
0 Votes
Not even a little bit surprised at this...Springettsbury Township Police have a history of oppressing and intimidating people...I personally know of a few incidents...one...a Mr.H yelling at my grandmother and bringing her to sobbing tears; at the intersection of Haines Rd and Market St(on a Friday) she wasn't even blocking traffic; but he did when he pulled her over and yelled at her....or my sister's vehicle breaking down right near Perkins on Market St and a certain official being verbally abusive and threatening to my sister and making judgments to her character because of bumper stickers(?) which brought my sister to tears...which of course has nothing to do with her vehicle...moving on...he tells her that he is calling a tow company and she tells the officer (through her tears) that AAA is on its way and will be their shortly ...But he says she should cancel the tow because he is calling a tow company...more yelling by officer at her and finally AAA shows up...this all in 20mins...so in closing I think they should investigate the entire Township Police department...if not fire them all...as a side I advocated for my grandmother...But was told but certain in charge parties at the department that sometimes police have to do that... I said oppress and bring to tears little old ladies...he said have a nice day and hung up...

justsayin - 3/16/2013 7:50 AM
0 Votes
Maybe people should just start obeying the laws. People get away with so much here, compared to other countries. When will people learn that they need to cooperate with the police, and not try to fight them? They are here to protect us, but when you try to harm them, they will fight back, as would anyone else!

Sierra Volk - 3/15/2013 11:17 AM
0 Votes
It takes a real man, a hero, to beat up a handcuffed woman. Imagine the size of those balls. Thank God he was there to protect and to serve.

bob richards - 3/15/2013 5:51 AM
0 Votes
A few years ago Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano released a list of groups that her department saw as threats to the United States. On that list was returning Iraq/Afghanistan war veterans. I and many other veterans felt insulted; however, since Aug. 2011, I've been studying police abuse, because I became a tasing victim of returning deputies. Since then I search the internet news every 24 hours, and this is what I would like to share with you. Many officers who have served multiple tours in Iraq and/or Afghanistan brings back with them two types of profiles: (A) The first profile are those who are suffering from PTSD and/or depression and/or anxiety. They may be doing fine one minute; however, their mental disorders can be triggered in a second by an event or actions of others. (B) The second profile are those who have become cold and ruthless. They are taking down unarmed fellow Americans with no remorse as if they are were hostile war combatants. It is interesting to note that returning law enforcement officers who have mental issues are carrying lethal weapons. Many of these vets are drawing VA mental disability checks. Since the Police departments are not being told, (because officers are afraid that they will not get their old jobs back) the vets are not properly being monitored by their supervisors and internal affairs are not doing special reviews.
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