By Joanna Putman
Police1
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Body camera video released by the Louisville Metro Police Department shows an officer using jiu-jitsu to subdue a suspect, WDRB reported.
Sgt. Darcy French, who joined the LAPD in 1998, had previously filed a separate lawsuit alleging harassment and retaliation over images shared by other LAPD members
“These cameras will be deployed at large events and gatherings to help be the eyes for law enforcement,” City Council member Hunter Williams said
“We have people who showed up here to commit acts of violence. They wanted chaos,” said Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling
Thomas Lane was convicted of violating Floyd’s civil rights and was sentenced to 2.5 years in federal prison; he has been released to supervision, with one year left in his state sentence
According to the arrest citation, the suspect had become belligerent and was being removed from the bar by security on Aug. 18. Police said the suspect then pulled a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at the bouncer. Officer Mason Barnes arrived on the scene and saw the suspect arguing with security personnel. When Barnes attempted to detain him, he fled.
Body camera footage released Aug. 19 shows Barnes approaching the suspect, who was walking away. Barnes’ body camera fell off during the encounter. A bystander picked it up and placed it on the ground, capturing the subsequent struggle between Barnes and the suspect.
During the altercation, the suspect briefly gained the upper hand, but Barnes, using his Gracie Survival Tactics training—a form of jiu-jitsu tailored for law enforcement—managed to subdue the suspect by trapping him around the neck with his legs until backup arrived to place him in handcuffs.
“Officer Barnes, through his training and decision-making, kind of reversed that. Even being on the bottom, he was in more control than the aggressor,” said Officer Adam Sears, who leads the Gracie Survival Tactics training for the Louisville Metro Police Department.
Sears explained that the training provides officers with more options in such situations, allowing them to effectively control suspects regardless of size differences, without resorting to excessive force, according to the report.
