Barstow Police officer placed on leave during investigation
A Barstow Police officer was placed on administrative leave as police officials investigate his use of a baton to hit an allegedly uncooperative suspect during an arrest on Friday.
An online video of an identified Barstow Police officer using a baton to hit Gary Christian, 43, sparked the investigation and nationwide interest in the case.
Police said Christian, who was wanted for an outstanding felony and no bail probation violation warrant, had assaulted the officer before the arrest.
However, the suspected assault was not shown in the video, which was captured by a resident and shared by TMZ and FOX 11’s YouTube channel with the title “Barstow police officer seen on video beating a Black man with a baton during the arrest.”
'Those involved will be held accountable'
Police Chief Andrew Espinoza, Jr. stated in a letter that after reviewing the video and the initial facts of the incident, he placed the unnamed officer on administrative leave and started an internal investigation.
“I want to assure the community that we take all concerns regarding the conduct of our officers seriously and that we will conduct a thorough investigation of the entire incident,” Espinoza said. "If at the conclusion of the investigation it is determined that this officer or any of our officers were involved in misconduct of their duties, it is my commitment to the residents of Barstow that those involved will be held accountable."
After the investigation, the final report will be forwarded to the State of California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training Accountability, which reviews allegations of misconduct.
“The Barstow community expects their police department to be held to a high standard, and I assure you that this matter will be handled appropriately,” Espinoza said.
It is unknown if the officer was placed on paid or unpaid leave.
The incident
Around 4 p.m. on Friday, a Barstow officer spotted Christian in the 1200 block of East Main Street. The officer confirmed through police dispatch that Christian was wanted for an outstanding felony, no bail probation violation warrant, police officials said.
The officer approached Christian and tried to place him under arrest, but the suspect refused to comply with orders. Christian assaulted the officer, according to police.
The officer used his Taser, which was ineffective. The suspect then assaulted the officer a second time. The officer responded by using his baton to hit Christian while trying to arrest him.
The 57-second video begins on a sidewalk, where the officer swings his baton at the suspect, whose arms are raised as he tries to defend himself while backing up.
The video shows the officer swinging twice at the suspect, then taking him to the ground in a parking lot. The officer hits him thrice until a second and third officer arrives.
During the video, someone yells, “Oh my God, he’s already down. Why are you hitting him?”
Back-up officers arrived at the scene and were able to arrest Christian.
Christian was taken to Barstow Community Hospital, where he was treated for cuts and bruises to his right leg.
He was later booked into the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Department’s High Desert Detention Center on suspicion of resisting arrest and a no-bail probation violation warrant. He is ineligible for bail.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Sergeant Jeremy Bledsoe at 760-255-5160 or jbledsoe@barstowca.org. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact the WE-TIP hotline at 800-79-CRIME (27469) or wetip.com.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Barstow Police officer placed on leave during investigation
