NYPD releases bodycam of confrontation between officer and 19-year-old Tamani Crum in Harlem
NEW YORK -- Newly-released NYPD body camera videos show the confrontation that led to a male officer hitting a 19-year-old woman and sending her to the ground in Harlem.
Mayor Eric Adams is defending the officers involved, CBS2's Alice Gainer reported Thursday.
Several body camera videos show the chaos during the arrest of 22-year-old Elvin James, who was wanted in connection for an attempted murder, at around 5 p.m. Tuesday on West 136th Street.
James was carrying a loaded, semi-automatic ghost gun and reached for his waistband, according to the NYPD.
Tamani Crum walked up to James, and one camera angle showed her interaction with the officer before she fell backward to the ground.
The viral cellphone video prompted some residents to call for an investigation into the NYPD.
"While the NYPD is committed to the safety of all New Yorkers, we are also committed to transparency," NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said in a statement.
Sewell said Crum interfered with the arrest by, "striking one of the officers. That officer fended off that interference and struck the woman with an open hand. The woman was placed under arrest for Obstructing Governmental Administration, remained conscious, and was transported to an area hospital at her request."
Wednesday, Crum pleaded not guilty to the charge and was released on her own recognizance. Crum's attorney said he was pleased the district attorney decided not to charge her with assaulting an officer or resisting arrest.
"He absolutely used excessive force," said Defense Attorney Jaime Santana Jr. "We're talking about a 19-year-old, young girl, versus a grown man who is approximately three times her body weight and size."
Adams, a former NYPD officer, responded to the video.
"Those officers showed great restraint," Adams said. "They didn't discharge their weapons, they subdued him. While they were subduing him, a crowd came and attempted to disrupt the arrest."
Adams said there is an investigation into what happened.
"If you look at the video, the young lady was inches away from the person who was armed with that gun. That action endangered those police officers," said Adams.
Sewell's full statement said:
On Tuesday afternoon, NYPD officers from the 32nd Precinct were attempting to take an individual into custody when a struggle ensued and a crowd formed around the officers. The individual was carrying in his waistband an illegal, loaded semiautomatic Polymer 80 handgun, known as a "ghost gun." The NYPD officers removed yet another illegal firearm – and the person brazen enough to carry it in public – from the streets of our city.
During this encounter, a female acquaintance of this individual began to interfere with the arrest, including striking one of the officers. That officer fended off that interference and struck the woman with an open hand. The woman was placed under arrest for Obstructing Governmental Administration, remained conscious, and was transported to an area hospital at her request. Two additional females were similarly charged with interfering with the actions of police officers during this incident. This incident, including the conduct of the officer who used force, is under ongoing review by our Internal Affairs Bureau's Force Group. All police body-worn camera footage, as well as other video surveillance from the area and witness statements, are being gathered and reviewed. While the NYPD is committed to the safety of all New Yorkers, we are also committed to transparency. Therefore, I have expedited the release of the officers' body-worn camera footage, and am awaiting the results of IAB's investigation.
Another woman was charged for allegedly punching an officer in the head, according to police, and another person was issued a summons for spitting on an officer.
James allegedly had a large amount of a controlled substance on him, police said.
