Early Friday morning, an IMPD officer accused of using excessive force on a teenager was cleared of any wrong doing by a Civilian Police Merit Board.
Since the ruling several groups and community members have released statements regarding the decision.
Citizens Against Brutality President Fredricka Hill issued this statement:
“We are extremely sickened and disgusted by the Merit Board’s decision not to uphold Chief Ciesielski’s recommendation to fire Officer Piland. In recent times, it seems that the citizens of Marion County cannot receive equal justice as the police department has become a group of vigilantes who are allowed to do anything that want to the citizens of Marion County with excuses made for their behavior. The Brandon Johnson case proved that Officer Piland used excessive force against him as Sgt. Scott Hessong, IMPD Internal Affairs said it was “deadly force.” This case also showed that Brandon Johnson did not resist to a level that would justify the force that was used against him. We need not be surprised by the Merit Board’s decision when things have been aligned in our City County Building to make sure that the police department is protected. It is time for the citizens of Marion County to take our county back before Officer David Bisard is let off the hook for his actions. We cannot afford to allow the number of injured and dead citizens continue to rise in our city while the police department gets a free ride. This is a slap in the face of the Johnson family and will the Wells family be next? Enough is enough and we must let the leaders of our city know that the charades must end. We will not tolerate bogus processes that we know are not fair!”
Melina Kennedy released this statement:
“As a mother, the pictures of Brandon Johnson made me sick for him and his family. The pictures show that he was brutally treated. I’m disappointed with this administration’s actions and with this result. Brandon Johnson deservers better and Indianapolis deserves better.”
Originally reported by WISH-TV News. Read the original article here.