Redding California Cops Now In Hot Water After Viral Video Shows Them Stomping On Suspect's Head, Releasing K9 On Him

Multiple videos have gone viral of a Jan. 23 incident on Willis Street in Redding that show a lengthy struggle between 39-year-old Kevin Hursey and several Redding Police Department officers, including a K-9 unit.

Today Redding Police Chief Bill Schueller released a statement in response to the incident, and in acknowledgment of the dramatic footage captured by a number of witnesses.

Opinions are divided regarding whether officers acted appropriately, or if they used excessive force.

One witness, who said he saw part of what happened, said that from where he stood, it appeared the officers “handled it pretty well”.

Another witness was driving up Shasta Street around 3 p.m. and had just turned right onto Willis Street when the witness saw two officers with guns drawn and pointed at a man. The witness described the scene as something out of a TV show.

“I started taping. All I was really worried about was bullets,” the witness said. “I was in shock with the amount of cops and forces they used.”

The witness saw the suspect on his knees, but then he’d stand up again.

“He would act like he was going to comply, but would be back to not complying,” the witness said. “He wouldn’t go to the ground. The shot with the bean bag was what dropped him”

According to the RPD press release, initially two RPD officers responded to a complaint from a nearby business that Hursey was attempting to get into parked cars.

Schueller said that officers deployed a “less-than lethal bean bag round” and a police canine.

“Ultimately, the man was taken into custody after a significant struggle,” Schueller said in the statement.

Officer stomps suspect’s head
One portion of the video that many viewers found disturbing was one officer’s violent assault upon the suspect while Hursey was lying on the ground, while also being attacked by the K-9.

Schueller addressed that action, and said that the end of the video showed “one Redding Police Officer forcefully stepping on the head of the suspect” which resulted in immediate steps taken by Schueller and some staff members.

“Some of the force used is disturbing and may violate the standards of training and conduct required by the members of the Redding Police Department,” Schueller said in the press release.

“The officer in question was place on paid administrative leave as required under California law and the Redding Police Officers Association Memorandum of Understanding. The officer’s peace officer powers were suspended.”