New body camera footage released by Fort Worth police provides a much different context and perspective surrounding a weekend arrest.
On Sunday, a cell phone video started circulating online that showed a 40-plus second clip of two officers repeatedly punching a man while he was pinned to the ground.
After receiving questions and concerns from citizens, Assistant Chief Charles Ramirez said the decision was made on Tuesday to release the officer's body and dash camera footage to show the men's actions were justified.
"Officers are sometimes placed into situations where force is used to place a person into custody," said Ramirez.
While the witness cell phone video shows the suspect, Forrest Curry, being struck repeatedly, it doesn't give an up-close look at what happened before he went to the ground, or how he struggled with officers.
The dash camera footage shows a Hispanic officer chasing Curry while another black officer jumps out of his squad car to help detain the man.
The punches, which police say are "distractionary strikes" taught to every Fort Worth cop, occur when Curry doesn't comply with verbal commands to put his hands behind his back.
Ramirez wouldn't answer questions on camera about the Saturday incident, but provided the background information in a meeting with reporters.
He said police were initially called to the Chaparral Apartments area when firefighters encountered a "combative" man.
Audio from 911 calls indicate callers thought Curry and another man were high on drugs and passing out.
When officers arrived, the 35-year-old Curry fled.
But community activists, already suspicious of Fort Worth police following racially charged encounters like the Henry Newsom arrest and Jacqueline Craig fiasco, remain outraged by the latest viral video.
"It pissed me off instantly," Rod Smith said at a Tuesday night rally.
Only about a dozen protestors showed up at the event.
Still, Smith and Michael Williams, Curry's attorney, say they've heard from many people that simply think Curry was "attacked."
"Whether he was intoxicated, or running, it doesn't give police the right to punch him like that," said Williams.
The attorney thinks his client may actually have suffered a seizure, which contributed to his behavior.
In the body camera footage, firefighters are seen telling officers they think Curry is on K2 synthetic marijuana, and that he took "swings" at them.
Police say they don't yet have toxicology results to prove drug use, or any medical information suggesting a seizure.
Curry does appear disoriented and combative during certain times of the footage. It took officers close to five minutes to fully restrain the man and place him on a stretcher.
He is no longer in custody at the Tarrant County Jail, but still faces charges of evading and resisting arrest, and public intoxication.
The police association released this statement:
The Fort Worth Police Officers’ Association (FWPOA) believes that transparency and trust are vital for strong and effective partnerships with our community. We are aware of the arrest video circulating and are also mindful of the details and circumstances leading up to the arrest process that was captured.
We believe the department has responded appropriately in releasing the details and partial video that led up to this suspect being taken into custody. Additionally, we would like to applaud our community leaders for withholding judgment until all facts, details, and video angles are gathered. We are fortunate in Fort Worth to have some of the hardest working and most dedicated police officers in this country. The members of our association are also members of the Fort Worth communities they serve, and they have a vested interest in fair and equitable policing.
Our officers routinely show great care and necessary restraint when dealing with non-compliant subjects. Our officers are trained and equipped with many different force options that sometimes become necessary to overcome the resistance of combative persons. These force options exist to allow an officer to gain control of a situation in the quickest and safest manner. Fort Worth officers are trained to select their force options with the utmost regard for the health and safety of all persons involved in the incident.
When a police officer encounters a situation that requires the use of necessary physical control tactics, the results can sometimes appear disagreeable. And the reality is, there is not a nice looking way to control a physically combative person. Despite the potential for public scrutiny our members will continue to protect and serve Fort Worth with dignity, honor, and respect. Thank you for your continued support.