Galveston Police Issue Apology After Image Of Them Leading Black Man Behind Horse With Rope Goes Viral

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mattstaff
Aug 6, 2019 7:30 PM EDT

Police in Galveston, Texas issued an apology after their officers on horseback were seen leading a black man by rope through the streets on Saturday. The 43-year-old man Donald Neely was arrested for criminal trespassing after having been warned by the cops a few times. 

Police claim that the two patrolmen didn't have any "malicious intent", and hadn't tied his hands with rope, but the picture circulating on news outlets suggests otherwise, and actually, it really just confirms that this was an unbelievable kind of cruel. 

The attorney for Mr. Neely's family says that the man is homeless and bipolar. His family hadn't seen him for several years until the photo went viral online. 

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    crime - Text - POLICE Galveston Police Department We became aware Monday afternoon of a post circulating about a Saturday arrest involving two mounted patrol officers and how the arrested individual was transported. A transportation unit was not immediately available at the time of the arrest and a man was handcuffed and escorted beside two police officers on horses. While this technique of using mounted horses to transport a person during an arrest is considered a best practice in certain scena
    via galvestonpolice
  • 02
    crime - Text - "Although this is a trained technique and best practice in some scenarios, I believe our officers showed poor judgment in this instance and could have waited for a transport unit at the location of the arrest. My officers did not have any malicious intent at the time of the arrest, but we have immediately changed the policy to prevent the use of this technique and will review all mounted training and procedures for more appropriate methods." Chief Vernon L. Hale, II We understand
    via galvestonpolice
  • 03

    Here's the press release too.

    crime - Text - Galveston Police Department OF PRESS RELEASE 601 54 Street, Suite 200| Galveston Texas, 77551 Sergeant Xavier T. Hancock 409.497.6568 Cell shancock@galvestonts.gov TEXAS Who is this man? Donald Neely (06/15/1976) Who are the officers Officer P. Brosch and Officer A. Smith Why was he detained or arrested? oHe was arrested for Criminal Trespass at 306 22nd Street. It appears the man is being led by officer holding a rope tied to the man's hands. Is that accurate? No. Mister Neely wa
    via galvestonpolice
  • 04
    crime - Text - Adrienne Bell @AdrBell We have verified with law enforcement officials in Galveston, that the photograph taken in Galveston is real. 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.
    via @AdrBell
  • 05
    crime - Horse
    via @AdrBell
  • 06
    crime - Road
    via @AdrBell
  • 07
    crime - Text - Adrienne Bell For U.S.Congress FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 5, 2019 Galveston, TX We have verified with law enforcement officials in Galveston, that the photograph takern in Galveston is real. 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. It is a scene that has invoked anger, disgust, and questions from the community We will be watching for the Galveston Police Department's response
    via @AdrBell
  • 08
    crime - Text - Ellen Kourtides @ElleKourtides Replying to @fuckimagorilla @shaunking and @galvestonpd It is unbelievable that it continues to happen in this country. It is inhuman. When are we going to catch up with this day and age?
    via @ElleKourtides
  • 09
    crime - Text - zellie @zellieimani This is just sickening and uncalled for. This young black man was put on a leash while handcuffed between two mounted horses in Galveston, Texas This invokes painful imagery of slave catchers and runaway enslaved Africans
    via @zellieimani

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