Criticism of a physical arrest of a 19-year-old Black woman on Friday continued during a contentious session on Tuesday night of the Springfield City Council’s Committee of the Whole.
Police Chief Joe Behl said that empty-handed strikes while subduing a subject are allowed per the department’s policy on use of force.
The three members of the council’s aldermanic Black caucus and several speakers told Behl that the incident showed that changes were necessary at SPD.
Residents filled the council chambers to voice dismay at footage of the SPD officer striking Promyss Davis.
Former members of the Massey Commission, including Dr. Kelly Hurst and Sontae Massey, urged the city to take action to adopt the Commission’s Calls To Action in response to the incident.
