Cambridge police will put on physique cameras within the wake of an officer capturing and killing a 20-year-old man who was approaching officers with a knife as he apparently skilled a psychological well being disaster.
The police division has been below hearth following the deadly police-involved capturing of Arif Sayed Faisal within the first week of the yr.
“Sayed Faisal’s death is unquestionably a tragedy,” Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang wrote in an replace this week. “I am fully committed to making changes going forward, including acting with urgency on the actions recommended by the Council.”
“We will implement body cameras,” Huang wrote within the replace. “We will use alternative responses to emergency calls outside of the police department. We will evaluate additional less lethal options.”
The metropolis can even rent an impartial advisor to evaluate and make suggestions throughout the police division’s coaching, insurance policies, and practices.
“We will seek to strengthen the City’s mental health resources and enhance our outreach to underserved communities,” town supervisor added.
On Jan. 4 at round 1:15 p.m., Cambridge Emergency Communications acquired a 911 name from a Cambridgesport resident who had seen a person apparently carrying a machete bounce out the window of a neighboring residence. The caller stated he gave the impression to be slicing himself with each the weapon, later recognized as a kukri knife, and damaged window glass.
When officers and paramedics arrived on scene, they discovered Faisal bleeding in an alley behind a Sidney Street constructing.
Faisal then reportedly ran with the knife, touring by way of a number of blocks within the Cambridgesport neighborhood earlier than officers requested him to place the knife down. The man reportedly moved towards the officers whereas nonetheless in possession of the knife.
An officer first discharged a less-than-lethal sponge spherical, however that spherical was unsuccessful in stopping Faisal. He continued to advance towards officers. Then one other officer discharged his department-issued gun and struck Faisal.
Officers rendered medical help on the scene till EMS arrived. Faisal was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital, the place he later died.
Since Faisal’s dying, protesters and plenty of residents have known as for better transparency, together with the general public launch of the concerned officer’s identify. The metropolis has not launched the officer’s identify as a result of the interior preliminary investigation has not proven “egregious misconduct and significant violations of the law” by the officer.
“Based on all of the information that has been reviewed so far, the department has not identified any egregious misconduct or significant policy, training, equipment, or disciplinary violations,” police stated in an announcement.
“The department can confirm that the involved officer, who remains on paid administrative leave, has had no complaints filed against them over the course of their 7-year career with the Cambridge Police Department,” the division added. “We will conclude the internal review process when we receive the completed findings from the District Attorney’s investigation.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”