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SDPD Punch & Tase Subdued Man Multiple Times May 1, 2011

730 views · Published 30 April 2016 · 2:55 · Indexed 26 October 2026

Channel: IRATE Productions · 2016 · Nonprofits & Activism

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An internal investigation was under way into whether a patrolman used excessive force while arresting an allegedly drunk and combative man last weekend outside a North Park nightspot, a San Diego police official confirmed.

The lawman, whose name was withheld, was one of three officers who struggled to subdue 38-year-old Shawn Allen McPherren in front of the Alibi bar late Sunday night, SDPD Executive Assistant Chief David Ramirez said.

The footage shows the uniformed personnel crouching around McPherren, who was prone on a sidewalk, grappling with him while one of the officers apparently punched him forcefully in the midsection or arms a half-dozen times, grunting loudly with each blow.

One of the officers then used an electric taser gun on the suspect, who was successfully taken into custody moments later, Ramirez said. Twenty seconds into the videotape, the noise from the taser gun can be heard in the background and continues for several seconds.

Police had been called to the tavern at the corner of 14th Street and University Avenue about 11:30 p.m. on a report that a heavily intoxicated patron was being belligerent and threatening people inside the business.

The suspect's blood-alcohol level following his arrest was 0.34 percent, more than four times the legal limit for driving, according to Ramirez.

McPherren, a North Park resident, was booked into county jail on suspicion of resisting arrest and being drunk in public.  He was set to be arraigned on the misdemeanor charges Wednesday morning.

The assistant chief confirmed that police officials opened an in-house investigation after seeing the video of the arrest on Monday. When asked by a reporter outside downtown SDPD headquarters if the footage might show excessive police force, Ramirez said he did not "want to jump to conclusions."

According to department policy, officers may employ so-called "distraction blows" to subdue particularly resistant suspects, #Copwatch #SanDiego #FilmThePolice

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