A Daytona Beach K-9 police officer caught on YouTube setting his dog loose on a man and then beating him on the head with a tennis racket until the man was bloody did not violate department policy, officials said late Thursday.
According to a department supervisory review, Richard O’Donnell wrapped his legs around the dog’s neck trying to choke it and K-9 Officer Joshua Martin used the tennis racket as an “improvised impact weapon” striking O’Donnell several times in the head and shoulders.
“After review of report, AXON BWC footage, photographs and other supporting documentation No policy violation observed…” officials wrote in the supervisory review.
Video released on YouTube
The dramatic video also shows police tasering O’Donnell as he lay curled up on the ground while refusing to place his hands behind his back. The video is captioned: “This is what Daytona Beach Police did to my stepson.” It was posted by Debbie O’Donnell.
The arrest report says police encountered O’Donnell on April 8 at 2:10 a.m. in the back of the service center of Daytona Toyota on Nova Road after getting a burglary-in-progress call. The arrest report details the incident but does not say anything about Martin pummeling O’Donnell in the head with a tennis racket.
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The arrest report states that O’Donnell initially complied with officers’ commands but then took a fighting stance holding the racket in a swinging position. In the video, Martin yells at the man to get down on the ground or he will be bitten by the dog.
After a third warning, Martin releases the dog, and O’Donnell, holding the tennis racket, appears to be trying to protect himself. While O’Donnell was on the ground, the officer grabbed the racket from him.
Tasers used
Martin is then seen hitting O’Donnell in the head multiple times in the head with the racket. O’Donnell is seen with a bloody face, curled up on the ground screaming.
When he resists by covering his bloody face with his hands, other officers use their electric stun guns on the man and shock him at least twice.
As O’Donnell keeps screaming “Oh my God” some officers stand on him in an effort to get him to put his hands behind his back so he can be handcuffed.
O’Donnell, was charged with burglary of a conveyance, battery on a law enforcement officer, and resisting an officer with violence. He was released after posting $12,000 bail on June 21.
