WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, OH (Toledo News Now) -
A
traffic stop in Washington Township was caught on camera Sunday, and witnesses say
the police officer involved was out of line.
Those
who live on Pineridge say the neighborhood is pretty quiet, but what should
have been a routine traffic stop has caught the residents by surprise.
Aaron
Tatkowski says he spent Sunday with his family, and when he returned home, he
noticed his daughter-in-law had been pulled over by a Washington Township
Police officer.
The
police report states Cassandra Meyers was cited for a license plate violation.
Tatkowski says he didn't like the way the officer was talking to Meyers, so he
questioned the officer about his behavior.
"He
hollered for me to get back in my truck, so I got back in my truck," Tatkowski
said. "Next thing you know, I'm yanked out of the truck and it made my
girlfriend say a few things. He yanked her out of the truck."
Tatkowski
says the officer threw him, his girlfriend, his daughter-in-law, and
14-year-old son to the ground.
The
police report says commands were not listened to, so Officer Hart got out his
taser and handgun. Tatkowski says he complied with Hart, but worried for his
two granddaughters, who were still in his truck, so he asked witnesses to start
recording what was happening.
"It
was totally uncalled for, the way [the officer] was using force on people,"
said Jim Stechschulte, a witness. "I'm sorry to say that, but that's the way it
is and if they don't like it, so be it."
Tatkowski
was treated on the scene and taken to the hospital with a cut to his elbow and
knee. According to the police report, Officer Hart received scratches in the
struggle and was treated at the scene.
The
Washington Township Police chief said he stands by the police report, but made
no further comment.
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