VIDEOS Released of Alleged Assault by Providence Police - GoLocal Public Records Request

VIDEOS Released of Alleged Assault by Providence Police - GoLocal Public Records Request

On May 9th, GoLocal was the first news organization to report on an incident between a Providence man and the Providence Police near Providence College.

The date of the incident was Friday, April 24. GoLocal first requested the bodycam footage on May 9, and it was only released today, Wednesday, June 24 [46 days later].

A bystander’s video shows a police officer hitting the man, William Mitchell, repeatedly after the man was handcuffed.

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The redacted police report — READ HERE — does not mention that an officer punched Mitchell after he was handcuffed. The report does state that punches were delivered to force him to comply so he could be handcuffed.

In response to a GoLocal Access to Public Records Request, the police released 11 videos on Wednesday, but none of them show what led up to the incident.

As police were arresting him — officers can be heard saying “You run your fucking mouth.”

Also, the police said, “You're going to be punched in the fucking face."

Mitchell can be heard saying, “I am not resisting. I am suing.”

“You beat me up for no reason,” Mitchell added.

As police had control of Mitchell on the ground, an officer can be heard repeatedly saying, “You are stupid.”

And Mitchell then called the officer a “faggot.”

It is when officers lifted Mitchell up to move him to a police cruiser, and while he was cuffed, he spat at an officer, and that officer repeatedly punched Mitchell in the head.

 

Police Report Does Not Mention Punches to Mitchell When He Was Cuffed

He says that at this time, physical force was used to handcuff him. 

“Due to his violent behavior, that is when Ptlm. Ayala delivered several closed fist strikes to his face/torso area in attempt to stun him in order place him into custody. As officers were able to place Mitchell into a prone position, he then pinned his right arm under his chest refusing to let officers including myself to gain control. I then provided loud verbal commands for Mitchell to stop tensing his arm and to stop resisting to which he again refused. That is when I delivered several closed fist strikes to the right side of his body specially the kidney area, providing an additional command to stop tensing his arm to which he then finally complied and was now placed into handcuffs with the assistance of Ptlm. Labutti," Prete continued.

Once Mitchell was in handcuffs however, the report describes the conduct of the officer as “placing an arm on [the] neck” of Mitchell in "order to move his head away."

“As officers were standing Mitchell up to escort him to the police cruiser, Mitchell turned and spit in the face of Ptlm. Nazario, as a result, Ptlm. Nazario placed his arm in the area of his neck and upper shoulder in attempt to maneuver his head away,” Prete continues.

The report goes on to continue that Mitchell spat at officers - and was placed in a padded cell. 

“As I grabbed ahold of his upper arm to escort him, Mitchell followed by turning into my direction now spitting directly in my face. Mitchell was then escorted into the rear of a marked police cruiser and transported to Central Station who was still continuously spitting. While in the Male Processing Center of the cell block, a spit mask had to be placed on him to prevent any further spitting at officers due to his aggressive behavior,” said Prete. “Mitchell was also escorted by five officers to the padded cell.”

Mitchell is now facing charges of disorderly conduct, assaulting officers, and resisting arrest. 

 

SEE VIDEO BELOW

 

Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez is refusing to answer questions about the incident.

 

In a statement to GoLocal, Perez said:

We recognize that members of the public may have questions or concerns after viewing these videos. Any incident involving the use of force or allegations of misconduct is taken seriously by the Providence Police Department and is subject to a thorough review process.

This matter is currently under internal review and, in order to protect the integrity and fairness of that review, no further statements will be made until the Internal Affairs proceedings have been completed.

The Providence Police Department remains committed to transparency, accountability, and adherence to due process. Additional information will be provided when appropriate and consistent with applicable laws and departmental procedures.

There are significant questions about the incident, and there are questions about the video and audio files released in response to GoLocal's records request.

The bystander's video shows officers repeatedly trying to block her from videoing the incident

GoLocal asked the Providence Police as part of its APRA:

Also, why are officers intentionally trying to block the public from shooting video of the incident?

Is that allowed? 

Providence Police said the public is allowed, and officers shouldn't be blocking anyone trying to capture the incident. But the body-cam audio of the officer who tried to block the recording was removed by the Providence Police. SEE THE :30 MARK OF THE VIDEO BELOW

 

What Led Up to the Arrest?

What is not clear from the police report or the videos is what sparked the arrest. SEE TOP VIDEO FOR EARLIEST INTERACTION.