WSPD K-9 video suspected bite raises questions of excessive force-Winston-Salem Chronicle

In the social media video on social media, the community calls into question whether officers with the Winston-Salem Police Department (WSPD) used excessive force to detain a suspect.

Here’s what we know: On Monday, February 10th, shortly after 11 am, WSPD received a call for drilling and entering the 1400 block on Eastern Fourth Street. As the officers arrived at the scene, the suspect, Jamake Jacobs, fled the area on foot. Employees who participated in the face and the WSPD K-9 was located near the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and Fifth Street.

The video recorded on a mobile phone and shared more than 100 times on Facebook, Jacobs, who is black, shows that he is trying to hint at the police by running. It seems that Jacobs is betraying When he stops running and holding his hands to be handcuffed. At the same time you can see the K-9 to pass the past JacobsS The K-9 leader standing next to Jacobs in the video seems to give a command at which moment K-9 attacks Jacobs.

Jacobs was bitten on his forearm and was transported to a local hospital where he refused medical treatment. Jacobs was taken in custody and charged in violation of housing, l, lArceny and crime rEsist, delay and obstacle. He was released with a written promise to appear.

According to the WSPD, the command given by the K-9 leader had to return to his side, which is known as a reminder. At the same time, Jacobs was told to “get on the ground now” so that it could be taken in guard. The WSPD noted that the K-9 leader reported only commands with his dog in Czech. Therefore, if you do not speak Czech, you may not understand commands.

In a statement issued Thursday morning by WSPD, based on their initial investigation, the K-9 acted from the character. “It seems that the dog has perceived the non -verbal and verbal commands of his leader as an order to engage Mr. Jacobs. The WSPD K-9 leader tried to stop the dog from biting Mr. Jacobs and failed to grab him on time, “the statement continued.

“Our K-9 police are an extremely valuable tool and have been used to find missing persons, find drugs and hold offenders. Although these K-9 is valuable assets for our department and undergo intensive and strict training, we also need to admit when making a mistake. In this case, our K-9 shouldn’t have to bite Mr. Jacobs. We are sorry that this happened and we are fortunate that Mr. Jacobs had minor injuries.

“Trust between our employees, our K-9 partners and the community are essential to effective police and public safety. We are dedicated to providing these highly trained K-9 teams to operate with professionalism and precision. “

WSPD has opened an internal investigation and will review the training and communication protocols to enhance best practices among K-9 officers and managers to maintain and strengthen confidence in the Community.

This is a developing story. Visit wschronicle.com for more updates.