White cops on horseback led a black man by rope in Texas. Their police chief apologized
Joshua Bote, USA TODAY Published 3:45 p.m. ET Aug. 6, 2019
A Texas police chief says two white officers on horseback used "poor judgement" when they led a black man by rope to a mounted patrol staging area on Saturday, an incident that prompted viral outrage on social media as photos circulated.
Galveston Police Department's police chief Vernon L. Hale, III said in an apology that the department has changed their policy on the technique — which is sometimes used for crowd control — after the arrest of Donald Neely, 43.
Neely was arrested for "criminal trespass," according to a statement issued by Galveston police. He was handcuffed, and a "line" was attached to his cuffs because a "transportation unit" was not available.
Critics say the image shows a demeaning treatment of a black man, drawing on a history of slavery and violence historically displayed toward black people in the United States.
"It is hard to understand why these officers felt this young man required a leash, as he was handcuffed and walking between two mounted officers," said Adrienne Bell, a candidate for Texas Senate in a Facebook post Sunday. "It is a scene that has invoked anger, disgust, and questions from the community."
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/08/06/galveston-texas-police-apologize-leading-black-man-rope/1934537001/
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