A 75-year-old man who has an artificial leg and says he is hard of hearing was cited for disorderly conduct after he yelled at a police officer to close the bathroom door after the officer used the restroom at a Belton restaurant.
Part of the Tuesday incident was captured on video by a bystander who was told by the officer to stop filming the incident.
Bobby Ray Phillips, a regular at the Standpipe Family Restaurant, said he was enjoying his grilled chicken, cabbage and cornbread on Tuesday afternoon when Belton Police Cpl. Thaddeus Shockley went to the restroom, used it and left the door open.
Shockley wrote in an incident report that Phillips “yelled in a boisterous manner” at him after he left the restroom “you not going to shut the door.”
Shockley said in his report that he asked Phillips for identification after Phillips made another comment about the bathroom door.
“All I said to him was close that bathroom door,” Phillips said in an interview at his home on Wednesday. “I said, ‘You left that door open, I’m eating here. Leave that scent in there, right?”
Shockley, in his report, said Phillips declined to show his ID and also declined to go outside. Shockley wrote that he attempted to assist Phillips, but he held onto his chair and became “defiant.”
Phillips said he was loud, as he always is due to his hearing difficulties, but does not believe he was aggressive or that he did anything to warrant being put in handcuffs or being ticketed. He said he told the officer he could not hear and asked him to write down his questions.
Phillips said his artificial leg makes it difficult to stand with his hands free and impossible with them restrained. He said his mobility challenges are what led him to take the first table in the restaurant, which is near the bathrooms at the entrance.
In a 12 second video taken by restaurant patron Cindy Young, Shockley can be seen interacting with Phillips, using the word “handcuff” before turning to Young, saying “ma’am, do I need to take that phone from you?” Young said no and shut off her phone. Young said she was intimidated by the officer and didn’t want to be arrested or have her phone seized.
Phillips and Young said Phillips was handcuffed and released at least four times, twice in the restaurant and twice outside. Shockley’s report makes no mention of Phillips being handcuffed.
Police Chief Robert Young, no relation to the woman who shot the video, said an officer requesting someone to stop filming them can be problematic. He said he has not had the opportunity to debrief Shockley, who was off on Wednesday. He said he expected to get more details from Shockley on Thursday.
In a statement sent late Thursday afternoon, Young said an internal investigation had been started, to include review of any other possible video as well as interviews with witnesses. He said the department would refrain from further comments until the investigation has concluded.
“We understand and appreciate the trust placed in us by those we serve,” Young said in the statement. “We strive to provide quality service to the Belton citizens and maintain a level of integrity that is fitting of our city.”
Young, who is in his 11th week as Belton’s chief, said he appreciates video from witnesses because it either supports the account of officers or it highlights an issue that needs to be addressed.
Shockley’s body camera was not turned on during the incident, said Sgt. Anthony Smith, a Belton officer who arrived when Shockley and Phillips were outside.
Chief Young said it’s legal for citizens to video or take photographs of officers doing their jobs as long as the recording does not interfere with the officer’s job. An ordinance in Belton says people have to be at least 20 feet away from an officer who is trying to make an arrest.
Shockley could not be reached for comment.
Phillips said he intends to pay the $257 citation. Shockley, in the report, said the restaurant declined to put Phillips on trespass notice. The restaurant declined to comment about the incident.
During the interview at his home, with the 1960s TV show Gunsmoke blaring in the background, Phillips showed what he said was bruising to his arm and a scratch on his back. He said his shoulder and wrists were hurting, too.
“You can’t manhandle a 75-year-old man without hurting him.”
“All I said to him was close that bathroom door,” Phillips said in an interview at his home on Wednesday. “I said, ‘You left that door open, I’m eating here. Leave that scent in there, right?”
Pigs revel & roll in sh#t.
Par for the course.
“We strive to provide quality service to the Belton citizens and maintain a level of integrity that is fitting of our city.”
LYING F%&K!!!
THE ONLY THING YOU CORPORATE THUGS STRIVE TO DO IS TO PROTECT THE CORPORATE ASSETS AT ANY COST!!!!!
pigs stink!
“He said he has not had the opportunity to debrief Shockley, who was off on Wednesday.”
Drag that sad excuse of a human in and de-goddamn-brief him before he retires.