Jesse Batten, a 29-year-old music producer, was handcuffed to a gurney and choked by Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers during an arrest last month. The body camera footage and 911 call were both released last week.
North Hollywood Division LAPD officers received a call for an attempted suicide located on 4900 Forman Avenue on Oct. 4. Los Angeles firefighters were struggling to contain Batten, so police officers were called to the scene, according to a statement from the L.A. Police Department.
Once officers arrived at the scene, they handcuffed Batten and told him to “relax.” At first, he was compliant and told officers he was having “bad thoughts,” as seen in the police camera footage.
The police handcuffed Batten to the ambulance gurney, and he started kicking officers and screaming. Batten continued to show unease while handcuffed to the gurney, screaming that he wanted to be released.
The officers started with an attempt to contain Batten, holding him down as he continued to be violent. Batten refused detainment, hitting and spitting on one of the officers.
An officer wrapped his hand around Batten’s neck to further detain him. This action is classified as a “categorical use of force,” as the L.A. Police Department stated in the press release.
Batten was transported to a local hospital to be “treated for alcohol intoxication,” according to the statement. Following treatment, he was arrested and booked for battery and “an unlawful application of force” on an officer.
Police Captain Kelly Muniz said LAPD conducts a thorough investigation when this kind of force is used.
“We are still at the very early stages of this investigation, which can often take up to a year to complete,” Muniz said in a video released last week. “Our understanding of this incident may change as this additional evidence is collected, analyzed and reviewed.”
She continued: “We do not draw any conclusions about whether the officers acted consistent with our policies in the law until all the facts are known and the investigation is complete.”