Palm Bay officer not punished for what judge called "abusive" arrest
Updated:
PALM BAY, Fla. - A Brevard County judge described the actions of a former Palm Bay police officer as "condescending, threatening and abusive” while the officer arrested an 18-year-old girl.
WFTV obtained video of Officer David Marcinik arresting Melissa Bell on suspicion of possession of marijuana.
In the body camera video the officer can be heard threatening to break the girl’s arm, and telling her, “You want to get lit up? Open that mouth one more time.”
After viewing the video Wednesday, the judge dismissed the charges against Bell, saying the court cannot condone that kind of treatment.
WFTV’s legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said the judge’s actions should send a clear message.
“The judge clearly said in his order that the police do not have carte blanche to abuse the citizens that they come into contact with,” he said.
Palm Bay police said the suspect never filed a complaint, so no investigation into the actions was ever carried out.
Officer Marcinik retired from the force.
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