Exclusive: Man posts video of police, claiming officers 'trampled' over his rights
Warning: Video contains profane language that people might find offensive
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Police showed up at William Neal's home in the 1900 block of Maple Street about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday in response to a possible domestic battery for which police said they had compelling evidence.
On Thursday, Neal's girlfriend, Tammy Cooper, said, “When the cops had me outside, he was telling me it was a domestic violence thing. They believed someone was seen harmed inside the residence, and they couldn’t prove that with a closed door.”
“We have a video of somebody being beaten inside this house,” one of the officers said, according to Neal’s video.
Cooper said she told police the attack was not inside their Maple Street home, and she was not injured and is not the victim.
“They never explained that until right before they busted the door,” Neal said Thursday during an interview with The Journal & Courier.
Lafayette Police Sgt. Shawn Verma said, “Due to the nature of the call and need to ensure the safety of all individuals involved, officers made entry into the residence. Subsequently, two adult males were arrested for resisting law enforcement.”
Officers forced their way into the house because they believed a life was in danger inside the house, Verma said.
When officers cleared the scene early Wednesday, they left with Neal, 52, and his 18-year-old son under arrest on suspicion of resisting law enforcement. But officers left without any domestic battery suspects or the alleged victim. That's because, according to Neal and Cooper, they were never at the house that night. Neal and his teenage son are not suspects in the domestic battery investigation, police said.
Officers broke open Neal's door, revealing officers with guns drawn and one officer behind a ballistic shield standing at Neal's front door, according to his videos. They demanded that Neal come outside.
“They got a long rifle pointed at me. The other guy got a taser," Neal said. "I’m like, ‘Why would I come out like that?’”
"No. I'm not coming out," Neal is heard on the videos replying to officers' demands that he come outside. "I feel like my life's in danger."
“I asked for a supervisor,” Neal said Thursday, but no supervisor was sent to the scene.
Cooper was standing near the front door after it was forced open. From outside of the house, one officer grabbed Cooper's hand and arm, leading her through the front door.
Then officers went into the house's front room, where they arrested Neal's teenage son and Neal.
“They violated the rights,” Neal said. “A person has a right to tell them no.”
After Neal was released from jail Wednesday, he said he went straight to the Lafayette Police Department to complain about the Tuesday night intrusion.
On Wednesday, he also posted a home surveillance video of the interaction with Lafayette Police on Nextdoor, a social media site. He also shared a second video with The Journal & Courier on Thursday. That second video was recorded by Neal's son before their arrest.
"This is what the Lafayette police department does when they trample over the rights of taxpayers," Neal titled the video posted Wednesday afternoon on Nextdoor.
Warning: This link contains profane language that people might find offensive
Neal claimed on the post that it was the wrong house, but Verma said officers have convincing evidence that ties the house to the domestic battery and the suspect. Verma also did not have any comments on Neal's videos.
“I actually want their jobs," Neal said when asked about how he'd like to resolve his complaint. "They need better officers out here. I pay taxes. There’s no way I should be paying my taxes to people like that that’s being tyrants and bullies."
Verma did not have any comments Thursday about Neal's characterization of officers being tyrants and bullies.
“I can understand you trying to do your job, but there’s a right way and a wrong way," Neal said Thursday afternoon. "And everything they did, man, was the wrong way.”
Verma did not have any comments Thursday about the way officers handled Tuesday night's incident, other than to note they believed a person's life was in danger inside the house.
“I take it personal for a person to disrespect my home,” Neal said.
“The Lafayette Police Department is dedicated to maintaining public safety and enhancing the quality of life for all residents," Verma said. "Through proactive law enforcement and community partnerships, we strive to prevent crime and promote a safe environment for everyone.”
Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Lafayette man posts video, claiming officers 'trampled' his rights
