From The San Francisco Standard · · 1m
New video shows officer contact before fatal scooter crash
San Francisco police officer tackled man fleeing on scooter before fatal crash.
In brief
San Francisco police officer tackled man fleeing on scooter before fatal crash. Public defender says SFPD officer used excessive force killing 56-year-old Edwin Adams during unlawful pursuit. Originally reported by The San Francisco Standard.
New video reveals officer contact
Public defender obtained video showing officer tackling man fleeing on scooter before fatal crash.
“SFPD officers engaged in a pursuit in violation of department policy, and one officer used excessive force on the suspect, killing him”
Initial SFPD account contradicted
SFPD said Adams fell from scooter but omitted officer contact before crash.
“In its initial account of the incident, SFPD said Adams fell from his scooter but did not mention that an officer appeared to make physical contact with him immediately beforehand”
Adams died after chase
Edwin Michael Adams, 56, died Oct. 12 near Eighth and Mission streets after police tried to detain him.
“Edwin Michael Adams, 56, died Oct. 12 near the corner of Eighth and Mission streets after police tried to detain him on an arrest warrant related to his ankle monitor”
Public defender's complaint
Public defender claims SFPD violated policies on pursuits, use of force and honesty.
“SFPD officers engaged in a pursuit in violation of department policy, and one officer used excessive force on the suspect, killing him”
SFPD policy violation
SFPD policy allows pursuits only for felony or violent misdemeanor but Adams had probation violation.
“The warrant for Adams was issued because the battery in his ankle monitor was not properly charged. An alleged probation violation is not a felony nor violent misdemeanor, nor was Adams’ underlying charge so the pursuit was a violation of department policy”
Excessive force claim
Officer tackled Adams while he was riding rapidly on scooter without helmet.
“Crouching down to tackle a person traveling rapidly on a scooter without a helmet posed significant danger to the person, to the officer, and potentially to members of the public in the area”
SFPD response criticized
SFPD public response described as 'a lie' by witness.
“One of the witnesses interviewed by the press at the scene later described SFPD’s public response as 'a lie'”
The one thing
Public defender says SFPD officer used excessive force killing 56-year-old Edwin Adams during unlawful pursuit.
