Body cam footage captured the moment a Miami police officer grabbed a handcuffed guy by the neck and dragged him to the ground.
An internal affairs investigation revealed the details of George Augustus’s arrest in 2021 when it was discovered that the body cam footage did not match what was written in the arrest papers.
Sgt. Gary Sampson and Bens Mocombe risk disciplinary action after an 11-member civilian investigative panel concluded on Tuesday that they breached rules and employed excessive force.
The panel decided that none of the officers had adequately documented their response to resistance or use of force.
On December 9, 2021, officers responded to a domestic battery report at a property on NW 5th Court near Miami Edison Senior High. Body cam footage captured the incident as it occurred.
George Augustus, a local resident who was not a suspect in the inquiry, is captured on film standing on the sidewalk as Sergeant Gary Sampson approaches him and orders him to go back.
We’re carrying out an investigation. You must retreat,’ Sampson replies to Augustus while pointing his finger in his face.
“Remove your hands from my face!” Augustus is said to have protested.
Sampson continues to shout, “Back up!” Augustus says, “I am on my property.” You are on my land, you scumbag!
Sampson is shown grasping Augustus’ neck and slamming him into a fence as other officers hurry in, handcuffing him and telling him to cease resisting.
‘I’m not resisting. I never resisted, he can be heard yelling. ‘I am aching… I need a physician.
The ordeal continued thereafter.
Augustus was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital in handcuffs and shackles that he claimed were too tight and in which he refused to walk.
The footage from the body camera shows him arguing with officers while on the ground.
‘My ankle, my ankle! This crap is way too tight… I can’t walk. This crap is irritating me. I’m not walking,’ he shouts. ‘Do your job b***h! Go ahead drag me.’
On the footage, one of the cops, named as Bens Mocombe, is seen dragging Augustus by his right arm across the hospital corridor while his head hits the floor.
The Miami New Times stated that Mocombe, who was reprimanded for excessive force, informed internal affairs that he felt Augustus was feigning injury to avoid returning to jail.
According to reports, a third officer, Elouse Joseph, merely observed the incident but did not intervene. The research revealed that hospital employees did not intervene either.
The two other policemen were cited for failing to notify a supervisor about the hospital event.
Augustus was initially charged with disorderly conduct and violent resistance to arrest, but the charges were reduced and prosecutors decided not to continue the case.
The civilian investigating panel decided, following the internal affairs probe, that both Mocombe and Sampson used excessive force during the arrest.
Rodney Jacobs, the executive director of the civilian panel, stated, “Without the body worn camera footage, we wouldn’t have instances that provide us with the accountability that the community is requesting.”
The police agency performed exceptionally well in identifying this case.
According to reports, disciplinary punishment by the Miami Police Department could vary from additional training to suspension without pay.
“It demonstrates that you will be held accountable, particularly today with body cam evidence,” Jacobs added.
»Moment Miami police grab suspect by the neck and drag him while handcuffed«