Examining DHSPD’s use of force policy after arrest video circulates on social media

News Channel 3 is going in-depth into the Desert Hot Springs police use of force policy.

This comes after a video circulated on social media, causing a stir in the community.

News Channel 3 has obtained a copy of the cellphone video from the woman who filmed it.  We should warn you that some will find this video hard to watch.

According to Desert Hot Springs police, the incident happened Wednesday afternoon. Officers responded to a radio call in the 11600 block of Palm Drive regarding a subject causing a disturbance in a business.

The first officer on scene also learned the subject stole items from the business, according to the department. The man was later identified as Clarence Robinson.

In the video, you see a DHSPD officer, attempting to detain Robinson. The officer is armed with a taser.

According to DHSPD's Deputy Chief Steven Shaw when Robinson failed to comply, other officers were called to the scene, attempting to take the suspect into custody. Shaw said that he physically resisted arrest and a brief struggle took place.

Robinson and an officer sustained minor injuries during the scuffle.

Robinson was medically cleared and booked into jail facing charges of burglary, battery on a peace officer, resisting arrest and committing a felony while out on bail.

The woman who recorded the cellphone video, Jasmine Johnson, expressed concern to News Channel 3 about how the arrest unfolded.

“I feel like it was a lot of stuff done and that boy was really beat up bad. You guys {Desert Hot Springs Police} were hitting him while he was on the floor and tasing him and other officers were pulling up. It’s like everybody was trying to get their own hit in. Like what are you guys doing? You’re supposed to protect and serve, not beat us up," said Johnson.

On Friday, Robinson was charged with two felonies – unlawful use of force and violence and inflicting injury on a peace officer, and attempting by means of threats and violence to deter and prevent an officer from performing their duty.

Robinson was also charged with a misdemeanor for unlawfully and maliciously disturbing another person by loud and unreasonable noise. He’s also had prior criminal offenses.

Shaw added that all incidents involving the use of force by an officer are investigated and reviewed by a supervisor and this incident is currently going through the review process.

News Channel 3 has looked over the Desert Hot Springs police use of force policy and it states, "The department policy requires de-escalation" and a “use of force continuum” that includes a variety of types of force that are described in detail in the policy.

The Policy also requires “prompt and thorough documentation by officers, notification to a supervisor, and a review of any use of force incident.”

We have requested the police body-camera footage. Desert Hot Springs police were not available to speak with us on Friday. However, we will sit down with them on Monday to discuss the department’s use of force policy.

We are going through the entire policy and we will have a full report on Friday at 6:00 p.m. on News Channel 3.

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