MEMPHIS, Tenn. — As far as I know, Brandon Calloway did not rob a bank at gunpoint or even burglarize a business. But the 25-year-old Oakland, Tennessee, man ended up being chased, tased, and beaten with a baton by police – and one officer put his foot on Calloway’s head while subduing him. All because Calloway apparently was driving 32 in a 20 mile-per-hour zone, failed to stop at a stop sign, and failed to stop when officers chased him.
For that, the officers kicked in the door of his home, chased him for room to room, and beat him until blood streamed down his face. To call this excessive force is an understatement.
The incident was captured on cellphone video and posted to social media where it went viral and became national news. Now, one officer has been put on leave with pay and the TBI has launched an investigation.
So far, there has not been a lot of transparency by local police. And the TBI is not known for its speed or openness. But this incident is troubling on many levels, and the public deserves more answers.
Yes, you could ask why Calloway didn’t just stop, and perhaps he should have. But the police response of kicking in the door and beating him was over the top. If that’s the way Oakland police officers are taught to handle these situations, the department needs better training.