Police departments across the US hit back at Trump for ‘endorsing police brutality’ with ‘joke’ about roughing up suspects when arresting them
President Trump made the remark during a speech at Suffolk County Community College in New York on Friday
‘When you see these thugs being thrown into the back of a paddy wagon, you just seen them thrown in, rough. I said, “Please don’t be too nice”,’ he said
Several departments replied saying that they did not condone the remarks and that it was essential to treat suspects with respect
Trump has encouraged physicality in the past, specifically between his supporters and protesters
By MARY KEKATOS
DAILYMAIL.COM
29 July 2017
Police departments across the country are hitting back at President Donald Trump after a ‘joke’ he made about roughing up suspects.
During a speech he gave at Suffolk County Community College in New York, on Friday, the President made comments implying that he was in support of unnecessary police force.
‘When you see these thugs being thrown into the back of a paddy wagon, you just seen them thrown in, rough. I said, “Please don’t be too nice”,’ he said in his speech.
‘Like when you guys put somebody in the car and you’re protecting their head, you know, the way you put their hand over?’ the president continued, mimicking the gesture. ‘Like, don’t hit their head and they’ve just killed somebody. Don’t hit their head? I said, “You can take the hand away, OK?”‘
The comment drew ire from several departments accusing Trump of normalizing police brutality.
The comments were made during an address largely focusing on the transnational, violent gang MS-13. And although a group of police officers standing behind Trump applauded at the remark in his speech, the Suffolk County Police Department tweeted shortly after, condemning it.
‘The SCPD has strict rules & procedures relating to the handling of prisoners. Violations of those rules are treated extremely seriously,’ the Friday afternoon tweet read.
‘As a department, we do not and will not tolerate roughing up prisoners.’
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