Update, April 17, 2019: Newly released records show police officials initiated a review of the force used in this incident and the officer’s “verbal control” back in 2017. While officials questioned whether the officer went “hands on too quick,” the review concluded the force was reasonable. Attorneys for the city also filed an answer to the complaint in the ongoing lawsuit last month. Read that full document here.
Surveillance video and body camera footage shows a former WSU football player trying to show Pullman police officers his ID and laughing as they twist his arms behind his back, wrap him in a neck hold and taser him during a 2017 arrest at Bob’s Corner Market in Pullman.
Treshon Broughton filed a federal lawsuit against the two officers, the Pullman Police Department and the City of Pullman on Oct. 30, alleging excessive force and malicious prosecution. The department released incident reports and video footage to Whitman County Watch earlier today.
Pullman police officials have previously declined to comment on pending litigation. Records show the charges against Broughton were later dismissed.
Editor’s note: The surveillance video, as originally released, was a mirror image with no audio. Whitman County Watch has flipped the video back horizontally and synced the audio captured by Emerson’s body camera. That body cam footage, starting at 2:29, was not changed.
Police reports indicate a caller from the Adams Mall convenience store dialed 911 shortly before 2 a.m. on Feb. 18, 2017 to report someone trying to use a counterfeit $20 bill. The caller eventually told dispatchers the issue had been resolved and “everything is good now.”
Surveillance footage shows Broughton going up to the counter for multiple purchases. During his second stop, he cuts in front of waiting customers and then staff seem to confront him about the bill he has paid with. Broughton also appears to argue with a couple waiting in line on his way out.
Officer Shane Emerson soon arrives to check out the 911 call, and video shows him walking up to the counter just as Broughton returns to look for his girlfriend’s card. Broughton again cuts to the front of the line, moving up alongside Emerson. A police intern stands by.
“Relax, guys. I didn’t touch nobody,” Broughton can be heard saying. “You see a card here? I left my girl’s card here.”
The store clerk can be heard telling Emerson that Broughton had tried to use a fake $20 and the officer puts a hand on Broughton’s elbow.
“You got ID with you, partner?” Emerson asks.
“It’s probably somewhere around here,” he responds.
“I need to see it,” the officer states.
“You can see whatever,” Broughton says. “I don’t care, bro.”
Emerson then moves to take control of Broughton’s right arm, the video shows. Broughton lifts his arms over his head and turns to face the officer, saying he doesn’t want to get arrested and is showing his ID.
In his report, Emerson states he became concerned Broughton might run. Emerson calls for backup and Officer Alex Gordon arrives as Emerson again tries to grab Broughton’s arms. The two officers flail at Broughton’s arms and Gordon tries to put him in a neck hold, but is unsuccessful. They all tumble to the ground and Broughton appears to try to stand again as officers yell for him to get on the ground.
“Get down,” officers yell. “Put your hands behind your back.”
Broughton can be heard yelling in response, “For what?” or “Or what?”*
Broughton’s ID can be seen in his hand throughout the scuffle. When they all go to the ground, it falls to the floor and is recovered by the police intern.
Gordon knees Broughton multiple times and then tasers him in the back, the video shows. The two officers and the intern pin his arms behind his back and cuff him as another officer arrives.
Officers reported that Broughton appeared intoxicated and as a member of the 2016 football team seemed “exceptionally strong.” Emerson reported several apparent members of the football team also confronted officers outside about the treatment of Broughton.
Emerson reportedly suffered a split lip. In footage of his booking process, Broughton tells officers he does not need medical assistance.
“He just grabbed me when I wasn’t expecting it,” he can be heard saying. “My wrist hurts a little bit, but I don’t need no medic.”
Authorities reported Broughton later stripped off his clothes and flooded a holding cell. He was placed in a restraint chair. You can read the officers’ narrative reports below in full.
*Clarification, March 14, 2023: This quote from the audio has been updated to acknowledge ambiguity about what Broughton said during repeated exchanges with the officers.
Update: PPD statement released on Nov. 14, 2018
Pullman PD takes seriously our responsibility to protect & serve our community and all of its members. We are listening and we care. In response to comments/questions about use of force in the Treshon Broughton case, Chief Jenkins has issued the following response: pic.twitter.com/BF5nGINvVx
— PullmanPolice (@PullmanPolice) November 14, 2018
Broughton Pullman police reports by Whitman County Watch on Scribd