The Viral Video Incident: A Man’s Call for Help Turns into Chaos
A recent incident involving Mesa police officers handcuffing a man has sparked outrage online after the man claimed he called the police for help. The whole ordeal was caught on camera by a neighbor, and the video has since gone viral on social media. 12News had the opportunity to speak with the man, Darnay Cockrell, as well as Mesa police to get their sides of the story.
Darnay Cockrell, 52, explained that he dialed Mesa police on August 6th after the mother of his 4-year-old daughter allegedly took the child from the apartment where he resides in Mesa. According to Cockrell, he had been taking care of his daughter as her mother, who he mentioned is an addict, had not been around for a while. Upon the mother’s abrupt visit, Cockrell asked her to leave the next day, but when he returned to the living room after calling the police, he discovered that both the mother and his daughter were missing.
Frantic and worried, Cockrell tried to follow where the woman had taken his daughter, but when he encountered the police, things took a turn for the worse. He described how he was forcefully handcuffed by the officers, despite trying to explain the situation and locate his daughter.
This ordeal has left Cockrell feeling distraught and betrayed, stating, “I would never call the police again for help. You call them and you become the victim.” Mesa police, on the other hand, mentioned that the officers followed protocol due to the escalating emotions of the situation. They allowed 12News to view body cam footage of the incident but did not release it publicly.
Following an internal investigation, the complaint filed by Darnay Cockrell was deemed “unfounded,” and the officers’ actions were found to be within department policy. However, Mesa police acknowledged the need for additional training to improve their response in such situations.
In the end, Cockrell was reunited with his daughter, while the child’s mother was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct under domestic violence laws. This incident serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges faced in law enforcement and community interactions.
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