Tennessee Officer Suspended after Wal-Mart Assault

Sounds like his PD Overreacted BIG time. "No charges were filed". I believe the Greeter commited battery, atleast by the statute definition. There has to be far more to this story that warranted an officer being suspended 28 day's without pay!? In the article it clearly states that Officer Freeman pushed this man. Correct me if im wrong but wouldnt that constitute a Battery not an "Assault". Last I checked (2 minutes ago) an "Assault" is a VERBAL threat, NOT physical in ANY way! Wow.... There will be a mirrored case here in FL if a greeter or anyone else employee or not ever puts their hands on me in Wal-Mart. Stay safe!

there is no battery in tn. Its simply assualt

" The greeter fell and received a scratch on his elbow."
What a way to put a spin and a cover up on a clear cut case of unprovoked assault on an old man ! The video clearly shows that he was pushed down and blacked out when his head hit the soda machine. And then a man that came to defend him was pushed into and thru a glass door. Without question any citizen committing these same acts would have been arrested on the spot. Why didn't this happen ? Oh, I forgot this was done by a police officer and they can shove defenseless old men on the floor and never face criminal charges or arrest.
This is absolutley disgusting! If this was my father and it happened in front of me ....

Too bad we can't see the video link Rick refers to. According to several other more in-depth reprts, the anti-theft alarm went off as Freeman was leaving the store. What is the law in TN regarding retail theft stops? In IL, what happened would, if news accounts are accurate, have been a felony offense. The responding department chose not to charge, the victim went in front of a judge for a complaint and it was denied. Seems that Freeman's lucky to be part of the 28day club, but still employed.

Don't worry guys, some day those of you who think you're above the law will get your just rewards. I know this is what you people think because I have cop friends, and I get told their stories and see their videos from tazer guns. Your time will come. American Revolution 2.0 and you tyrants will be brought back down.

This is just an instance where this thug was caught. I would make a large wager that he has, in the past or will in the future committed more violent crime. Had a citizen done this, they would be in jail by now. JBTs need to be held to a higher standard. I remember when we had Peace Officers. Now all we have are para-military, shaved headed thugs, drunk with power and suffering from roid-rage. I would like to say there are good officers out there, but when they know about these types of degenerates and do nothing, they are just as guilty. This thug should have been fired and prevented from ever holding a position of authority again. He should have been charged, convicted and put in prison for as long as possible, 12 years at the least. Those that support his actions are supporting the further decent into a police state.

NavyCop, if you are in the Navy, I hope you are the exception. If everyone is like you we are doomed.

If I would have been there I would have drawn my concealed weapon, I have a permit, to stop this POS from attacking the greater. When he drew his weapon I would have shot him in self-defense, to stop him from shooting me. If I were a police officer I would have drawn my weapon to stop him. When he drew his weapon I would have shot him. There is no difference between most of the cops and the criminals. That fact that he wasn't charged shows how screwed up this country has become.

The details of this incident aside, what gives a store greeter the authority to detain a citizen while investigating a theft. In the State of Oregon a store employee has the right to detain someone of he or she has probable cause to belive the subject has commited the crime of theft. Probable cause means more likely than not. How often do the store alarms go off because a clerk forgot to disable the tag? The alarm go ogg in itself is not probable cause. Wal-Mart greeters are conditioned by there corporate culture to be over aggressive. I've spoken to greeters at my local Wal-Mart. They do not understand the law.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWIj8hVNuzo
Check out this video and see for yourself. I was incorrect that the old man hit his head on coke machine, he hit his head on the floor past just past it. Navy Cop, anytime anywhere.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME HERE?
That man (let's not EVEN go into his age!) was hired to prevent theft.

This excuse of a LEO KNOWS (Or damn well should!) that shoplifting is a billion dollar CRIMINAL enterprise in this country, and when that door alrm sounded, he should of stopped to at least (as a sworn LEO) see if police assistance was needed, AND, to comply with a request to show proof of payment. Not walk out and shrug his duties as a sworn police officer, all he had to do was comply with simple request, ask if he needed (doorman) needed assistance after ID'ing himself as LEO.

I am SURE the doorman verbally requested his compliance. TOUCHING SOMEONE ON ARM TO GET THEIR ATTENTION (IN EXECUTION OF HIS/HER DUTIES AS A LOSS PREVENTION OFFICER) DOES NOT CONSTIUTE BATTERY, ANYHOW! (Note term Loss Prevention "OFFICER"-(we're on same team/should be!)

THEN HE (THIS POOR EXCUSE OF LEO) PUSHED SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE (WHO ACTED MORE LIKE COPS THAN HIM) WHO TRIED TO INTERVENE AND BREAK UP THIS ASSAULT!

WATCH THE VIDEO!
Does this A/hole-if he went even- "I AM A COP & ABOVE THE LAW" upon graduation!?

My point: HOW DID THIS DOORMAN KNOW THIS WAS A LEO?

I have heard some disturbing comments from persons here on this topic. I PRAY THAT THEY ARE NOT REALLY IN LE, AS THEY ARE THUGS, GIVE THE "GOOD GUYS" A BAD NAME, AND ARE JUST THUGS-NOTHING MORE-AND PUNKS AT THAT-NOTHING MORE.

A note to these "tough guys" whom think it's OK to pummel senior citizens: PLEASE GET ANOTHER JOB! There's enough bad guys out there that need a "tune up", why "F" with a guy trying to supplemnent his SS income, doing crime prevention at that!?

ARE YOU KIDDIN' ME?!!?!

I HOPE you "tough guy badasses" come to a location I work details on and try to skate past a door alarm on my watch-just have your disability insurance current, if you try some sh-t like that on me!

I am PRO law enforcement, not pro "bad cop." This guy needs SERIOUS ANGER MANAGEMENT/COMMUNICATION SKILLS TRAINING.
MAYBE HE FELT HE WAS "PROFILED" AS AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN, BUT STILL NO REASON FOR THIS-NONE!

THIS MAN SHOULD SUE OFFICER (IN THIS CASE!) AND DEPT. SINCE THEY ARE TRYING TO WHITEWASH THE ALLEGATIONS.
(NO Racial pun intended)

If this goes to a judge and this "cop" convicted, he should be fired and serve sentence working in a senior citizen nursing home. And the doorman should not have to work at WALMART anymore-the dept. should pay him several yrs. salary-THAT WOULD BE JUSTICE!