A Panama City Police officer roughs up a prisoner and it’s all caught on video show here.
The video shows Sgt. Jimmy War punching John Paul Kimbro twice for not co-operating with officers. Kimbro was first shoved into the wall, then slammed on the ground. Moments later, Warr struck Kimbro in the neck. Surveillance cameras in Panama City Beach Police Department’s booking room rolled on the entire altercation.
“We were a bit disturbed by what we saw there,” says Maj. Dave Humphreys of the Panama City Beach Police Department.”
Humphreys says the abuse began after Kimbro refused to cooperate with officers and have his picture taken. Sgt. Warr grabbed Kimbro’s arm. The reason he struck? Kimbro tensed up.
“Which is a common thing that happens before somebody assaults an officer, you have them by the arm and they tense up. That’s some of the things we’re trained in. But is this clear in the video tape? No it’s not.”
Humphreys says Kimbro shouldn't have been arrested in the first place. Officers saw him walking near closed businesses in dark clothes. When they asked for his identification, Kimbro refused.
“The officer does have every legal right to demand your driver’s license or identification. But It’s not Nazi Germany, you don’t have to present your papers just because you’re walking down the street.”
Humphreys says failure to produce ID is an arrestable offense when you’re suspected of a crime. “Had he been shaking the doors, had he been lurking around unlocked cars, some other thing that caused heightened alarm then we’re okay to go forward, but in this case it didn't exist.”
After being released from jail, Kimbro filed a complaint, but did not press charges. An internal investigation found Warr guilty of neglect of duty. He was suspended for five days, and later resigned.