Elderly Indian badly injured by US cop for no reason, paralyzed and hospitalized

**General Maximus** · February 17, 2015, 05:03 AM

https://news.vice.com/article/video-...old-indian-man

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/02/12/us...olice-beating/

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

(CNN)It started out as a morning walk, but ended up with a 57-year-old grandpa laying partially paralyzed in an Alabama hospital bed.

Sureshbhai Patel, who is visiting from India, needed spinal fusion surgery to repair damage to his back after his family says a police officer in Madison twisted his arm and forced him to the ground.

Officer Eric Parker was arrested on Thursday, Madison police Chief Larry Muncey said. Parker faces a charge of misdemeanor third-degree assault. Parker turned himself in to sheriff's officials, the chief said.

The department released two videos shot by cameras on the dashboards of police cars at the scene. The video shows an officer slamming the man to the ground.

The incident began Friday when Madison police got a suspicious person report.

Police say someone in the small community about 12 miles east of Huntsville called to report a man walking in neighbors' driveways and peering into garages.

"The caller, who lives in the neighborhood did not recognize the subject and thought him to be suspicious," a statement from Madison police said.

When police responded, there was a language barrier. Patel, who is helping take care of his developmentally delayed, 17-month-old grandson Ayaan, speaks little English.

Chirag Patel, told CNN Affiliate WHNT that his father tried to communicate with officers, telling them "No English. Indian," when they approached. He also said his father gave police his address and pointed to his son's house.

Madison police agree that there was "a communication barrier" between officers and the elder Patel. The police statement says Patel reached into his pocket while speaking with the officers. "Officers attempted to pat the subject down and he attempted to pull away," the statement reads.

That's when officers forced Patel to the ground, leaving him with an injured neck and no feeling in his arms, the family says.

Months of physical therapy are ahead for Patel, who can now move his hands, but can't grasp anything, WHNT reported. Chirag Patel said his father can move his right leg but not his left

The family filed a civil lawsuit against the police department, CNN affiliates reported.

This comes just a few weeks after Obama trying to lecture India in tolerance. Looks like he should've looked at his own country first.

Dumb, abusive policemen have become a commonplace in USA it seems. This man, Eric Parker, deserves nothing less than at least 5 years of prison + heavy fines in my opinion. Plus the stupid 911 caller needs to be investigated as well.

The police even tried to cover up the incident at first.

But then it is USA. That idiot is a white man in police service. He was released on probation on the same day of his arrest, while some degenerated racists even raised funds for him. I doubt much is going to happen against him.

The complaints against the abuse of non-whites by policemen of this country get suppressed, to the point where non-whites are themselves blamed for what happened.

Sigh, this is what they claim to be 'land of the free'. What a fake facade. Cannot even walk without being thrashed by a uniformed psychopath.

**Cope** · February 17, 2015, 05:09 AM

see people? the left wing is at work once again.

Go take your blame culture elsewhere please.

EDIT: Also the police are a bunch of thugs, and the entire service needs to be reviewed asap.

**sumskilz** · February 17, 2015, 05:13 AM

The incident is unfortunate, but your thread title is misleading. According to what you quoted:

The police statement says Patel reached into his pocket while speaking with the officers. "Officers attempted to pat the subject down and he attempted to pull away," the statement reads.

If that's accurate, then it's certainly not "for no reason"

**Roma_Victrix** · February 17, 2015, 05:23 AM

Originally Posted by sumskilz

If that's accurate, then it's certainly not "for no reason"

Yes, but talk about excessive force! Given all the cop-related shootings of civilians lately, I'm surprised he didn't just take out his gun and shoot the guy.

That said, even taking into consideration that this is Alabama, I think you're blowing this out of proportion, General Maximus. What does this have to do with Obama? Also, one bad incident involving an Indian visitor to the US doesn't really speak to the common experience of all other visitors, guests, and tourists from India. It does, however, highlight the fact that officers all over the US need better training, whether it be handling situations with teenagers, the elderly, foreign visitors who have trouble communicating in English, or even people with mental issues. I also hope the Indian family gets fair compensation via their civil lawsuit.

As for the Hindu temples, that was in Washington, not Alabama, and it looks like a bunch of retard neo-Nazi vandals did that at night, when no one could catch them in the act. How is that representative at all of the US? Or even related to the cop in Alabama? If police had been around when they were spray-painting that building, they would have obviously been arrested. Again, I think you're blowing this out of proportion.

**General Maximus** · February 17, 2015, 05:34 AM

Originally Posted by Roma_Victrix

General Maximus. What does this have to do with Obama?

During his visit to India (which was all good, by the way), he publicly told the government and others that Gandhi and Martin Luther would be ashamed of the religious intolerance currently in India (which is not so high, by the way), and the Indians will never rise or be a superpower until they become more tolerant. While this motion was not bad, it earned criticism throughout for the 'holier than thou' way in which he said that.

Thankfully, the government is now undertaking investigations for these things, which can appreciated. Hopefully they wake up and get the policemen back in control, and track down the racist thugs.

**Caelifer_1991** · February 19, 2015, 02:13 AM

Originally Posted by Roma_Victrix

Yes, but talk about excessive force! Given all the cop-related shootings of civilians lately, I'm surprised he didn't just take out his gun and shoot the guy.

That said, even taking into consideration that this is Alabama, I think you're blowing this out of proportion, General Maximus. What does this have to do with Obama? Also, one bad incident involving an Indian visitor to the US doesn't really speak to the common experience of all other visitors, guests, and tourists from India. It does, however, highlight the fact that officers all over the US need better training, whether it be handling situations with teenagers, the elderly, foreign visitors who have trouble communicating in English, or even people with mental issues. I also hope the Indian family gets fair compensation via their civil lawsuit.

As for the Hindu temples, that was in Washington, not Alabama, and it looks like a bunch of retard neo-Nazi vandals did that at night, when no one could catch them in the act. How is that representative at all of the US? Or even related to the cop in Alabama? If police had been around when they were spray-painting that building, they would have obviously been arrested. Again, I think you're blowing this out of proportion.

In America they have a standard operating procedure:
if white: give warning,
if east asian: hold for one day and release,
if middle eastern: beat to the ground, hold for one day and release,
if indian: viciously beat to the ground, hold for one day and release,
if pakistani or any of the above but especially muslim looking: shoot on sight and claim self defence,
if black: viciously beat to ground, then shoot while restrained on ground, hold for one day anyway, shoot again and claim self defence.

**Symphony** · February 19, 2015, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by Caelifer_1991

In America they have a standard operating procedure:
if white: give warning,
if east asian: hold for one day and release,
if middle eastern: beat to the ground, hold for one day and release,
if indian: viciously beat to the ground, hold for one day and release,
if pakistani or any of the above but especially muslim looking: shoot on sight and claim self defence,
if black: viciously beat to ground, then shoot while restrained on ground, hold for one day anyway, shoot again and claim self defence.

That's very clever, but do you have any sourcing for this being "standard operating procedure", or are you just treating us to a gratis standup routine?

**Caelifer_1991** · February 19, 2015, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by Symphony

That's very clever, but do you have any sourcing for this being "standard operating procedure", or are you just treating us to a gratis standup routine?

Think of it as a gift, given out of sheer kindness to the honourable denizens of the total war centre forums.

**~~sabaku_no_gaara~~** · February 20, 2015, 06:23 AM

Originally Posted by sumskilz

The incident is unfortunate, but your thread title is misleading. According to what you quoted:

If that's accurate, then it's certainly not "for no reason"

bs, it's been established that the man speaks no English, they are to remain near him and call for a translator, or one officer should go in the direction where he pointed to see if someone can explain.

Also, the guy who made the call to 911 should be fined too, since his call had this as a direct result

**sumskilz** · February 20, 2015, 07:08 AM

Originally Posted by sabaku_no_gaara

bs, it's been established that the man speaks no English, they are to remain near him and call for a translator, or one officer should go in the direction where he pointed to see if someone can explain.

Also, the guy who made the call to 911 should be fined too, since his call had this as a direct result

Well here's an emotional post without much grounding in reality.

The police had no way of knowing how much English he understood. Actually neither do we, it would certainly help his family's lawsuit to claim he didn't understand anything. Though he spoke to them in English a bit and English is an official language of India. If you've ever been in a country where you only understand a bit of the local language, I assume you know that it's easier to comprehend than to reply. Of course if he had been someone up to no good, then he certainly would never have lied, right? I mean nobody ever lies to the police in order to get out of something. I have an Indian friend who has lived in the US since she was seven, sometimes she just pretends like she doesn't speak English when people try to talk to her on the bus. Still I believe the old guy probably didn't understand well, but I know more than the police knew at the time, and it doesn't change much. If true, pulling away and reaching into his pocket is a reason to think he might be reaching for a weapon when you have to make a split second decision. Like I said, if the officer didn't follow correct procedure, I'm sure he'll be dealt with, but as I also said, it was not "for no reason".

Your post indulges in further unrealistic fantasies, for example, the idea that a police department in Alabama has access to translators for every South Asian language. Aren't there like 200 of them? Were they even sure if he was South Asian? Perhaps they should have gathered together experts in every possible language he could have spoken and had them take turns trying to speak to him. Obviously this team of translators should be on staff for every such incident. Then there is the idea that someone should be fined for calling 911 for what they believed to be suspicious activity. What kind of precedent would that set? Of course the caller didn't know any of the backstory and certainly didn't know what was going to happen.

EDIT: Evidently the officer was charged with misdemeanor third-degree assault, so it will be investigated. The police released two videos of the incident, but for some reason most news sites are only showing the one where you can't really see what happened and it looks like he was thrown down for no reason. The vice news article the OP links to has both videos though.

**Phier** · February 20, 2015, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by sumskilz

but for some reason most news sites are only showing the one where you can't really see what happened and it looks like he was thrown down for no reason.

Shocked, shocked at this I am.

**~~sabaku_no_gaara~~** · February 20, 2015, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by sumskilz

Well here's an emotional post without much grounding in reality.

The police had no way of knowing how much English he understood. Actually neither do we, it would certainly help his family's lawsuit to claim he didn't understand anything. Though he spoke to them in English a bit and English is an official language of India. If you've ever been in a country where you only understand a bit of the local language, I assume you know that it's easier to comprehend than to reply. Of course if he had been someone up to no good, then he certainly would never have lied, right? I mean nobody ever lies to the police in order to get out of something. I have an Indian friend who has lived in the US since she was seven, sometimes she just pretends like she doesn't speak English when people try to talk to her on the bus. Still I believe the old guy probably didn't understand well, but I know more than the police knew at the time, and it doesn't change much. If true, pulling away and reaching into his pocket is a reason to think he might be reaching for a weapon when you have to make a split second decision. Like I said, if the officer didn't follow correct procedure, I'm sure he'll be dealt with, but as I also said, it was not "for no reason".

Your post indulges in further unrealistic fantasies, for example, the idea that a police department in Alabama has access to translators for every South Asian language. Aren't there like 200 of them? Were they even sure if he was South Asian? Perhaps they should have gathered together experts in every possible language he could have spoken and had them take turns trying to speak to him. Obviously this team of translators should be on staff for every such incident. Then there is the idea that someone should be fined for calling 911 for what they believed to be suspicious activity. What kind of precedent would that set? Of course the caller didn't know any of the backstory and certainly didn't know what was going to happen.

EDIT: Evidently the officer was charged with misdemeanor third-degree assault, so it will be investigated. The police released two videos of the incident, but for some reason most news sites are only showing the one where you can't really see what happened and it looks like he was thrown down for no reason. The vice news article the OP links to has both videos though.

He said: no english, and pointed at a house, here in Belgium one officer would stay with him, another would go and see where he pointed to see if someone can clear up things, they would also dispatch for a translator if it's established the guy doesn't speak Dutch or French.

It's pretty racist to just slam him down for not speaking your language and being brown, sure he backed away when they frisked him, wouldn't you? Some cop you don't understand is suddenly touching you and treating you like a criminal, it's an elderly Indian for Christ sake.

Also the way they tackled him to the floor, that wouldn't fly over here in Belgium, some years ago a man in a prison cell who was refused by the psychiatric institution and who was psychotic from taking amphetamines and was aggressive, was to be sedated so the special intervention team was called in to subdue him, they followed protocol but the guy died somehow, people where shocked from the video, and the guys from the special intervention squad face charges.

Normal street cops are only allowed to use violence like the cop in the video when the suspect starts fighting, the way they tackled the old man, was shocking! And unbelievably violent and unnecessary

And yeah, this guy is an innocent man put in the hospital because someone was afraid of "them darkies" and called the cops. That guy should at least have the decency to come forward and offer to pay the medical bills

**sumskilz** · February 20, 2015, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by sabaku_no_gaara

It's pretty racist to just slam him down for not speaking your language and being brown

I don't see any evidence that was the real reason.

Originally Posted by sabaku_no_gaara

it's an elderly Indian for Christ sake.

People keep saying that, but like I said, he's almost a decade younger than retirement age in the US. I think calling him elderly sort of adds to the story's emotional appeal. Though the guy was evidently frail.

As I said earlier, I think the outcome is pretty terrible, but I'm just not ready to believe that it is what people are claiming it is without any evidence. That was relatively normal police behavior from my experience growing up in the US. Whether they should actually be as sweet and loving as they are in Belgium is a different issue than if this was a racially motivated assault.

**Border Patrol** · February 20, 2015, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by sabaku_no_gaara

And yeah, this guy is an innocent man put in the hospital because someone was afraid of "them darkies" and called the cops. That guy should at least have the decency to come forward and offer to pay the medical bills

Sorry, but I have to ask. Are you

ing serious?

**Symphony** · February 21, 2015, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by sabaku_no_gaara

Also, the guy who made the call to 911 should be fined too, since his call had this as a direct result

Originally Posted by sabaku_no_gaara

And yeah, this guy is an innocent man put in the hospital because someone was afraid of "them darkies" and called the cops. That guy should at least have the decency to come forward and offer to pay the medical bills

.....I don't even have words. Just....how? What?

I badly want to believe this was a tongue-in-cheek statement, but unfortunately, I have this nagging suspicion you were entirely serious.

On what possible legal, ethical, or logical basis does the caller have liability here? On what do you base your evaluation of this caller's motives and state-of-mind?

**General Maximus** · February 17, 2015, 05:19 AM

And I just read this. A major Hindu temple vandalized by white supremacists.

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/swas...bothell/nkB68/

http://www.thehindu.com/news/interna...cle6904604.ece

http://www.business-standard.com/art...1700171_1.html

And this comes right when there is a huge Hindu festival this week.

Seriously, what the

is wrong with Americans. Not all people are racists like that I know, but is this what they call 'open society' and 'land of the free'?

Shame, really. The facade of 'freedom, liberty' and such is truly fake there. Every country has problems, but they should not claim to be a land of freedom, liberty and other catchy words, when racists reign supreme and abuse others, while law turns a blind eye.

Is this the tolerance that Obama was oh so gloriously trying to preach to the Indians? He made himself look even bigger of a fool with events like these happening. Should've stuck his nose in his own country's business rather than complaining about lack of religious tolerance India.

Originally Posted by sumskilz

The incident is unfortunate, but your thread title is misleading. According to what you quoted:

If that's accurate, then it's certainly not "for no reason"

Well, according to his lawyer, he didn't do that. If he and many other news sources are to be believed, what the old man did was that he said 'No English' and then pointed to his son's house. The policeman didn't understand this gesture, and then warned him not to move before suddenly flipping him on the ground.

Communication problem formed a big factor in this incident. But that doesn't give right to the policemen to thrash people.

Not to mention the victim was old and frail. Using such force on him could've very well killed him. Pavement was only a few inches away from his head.

**sumskilz** · February 17, 2015, 05:47 AM