In the small town of Canton, Ohio, a man died in police custody last week after being handcuffed and left face down on the floor of a social club. The officers involved are now under investigation following the release of body camera footage that shows the incident in full detail.
The footage shows a police officer from Canton responding to a report of a traffic accident and finding Frank Tyson, a 53-year-old resident of eastern Canton, in a bar near the American Veterans club. Upon arrival at the scene, Tyson resisted being handcuffed and expressed fear that he was being harmed. He repeatedly said, “They’re trying to kill me” and “Call the sheriff.”
Despite Tyson’s pleas for help, the officers continued to pin him down with a knee in his back. After five minutes, one officer asked if he had calmed down, prompting another officer to reply, “Maybe he is dead.” Despite this realization, they continued to leave Tyson face down on the ground for several more minutes before calling for an ambulance.
An autopsy was performed on Tyson earlier in the week, and his remains were turned over to a funeral home. The Ohio Attorney General’s Office of Criminal Investigation is looking into the incident. The use of force by the officers will be evaluated, and charges related to the incident will be determined by a prosecutor or grand jury.
The mayor of Canton has expressed condolences to Tyson’s family and emphasized transparency in the community. However, concerns have been raised about positional asphyxiation after it was revealed that Tyson was left face down on the ground for an extended period before receiving medical attention. The United States Justice Department has issued warnings against placing suspects face down due to this risk.
An investigation by The Associated Press found that more than 1,000 people died over a decade after being subdued by non-lethal means, including face-down restraints. It is crucial for law enforcement agencies to prioritize safety and well-being when dealing with suspects in custody to prevent such tragic outcomes.
In conclusion, while investigations continue into Frank Tyson’s death in police custody in Canton last week, there are important lessons learned from past incidents involving non-lethal restraints that must be taken into account by law enforcement agencies across America. By prioritizing safety and well-being over punishment alone
