The Hero? (More like the Criminal) - Handcuffed

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Written by Frank R | 17 August 2009
Posted in SOMM Blogs - Life Experiences

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A couple minutes later, 5 to 7 police cruisers peppered the parking lot. I explained to one of the officers in his cruiser that the other two assailants ran north of our position and what they were wearing. He rushed away and then two officers approached me. I told them what happened; they took one look at me and one look at the young male on the ground that was being treated by paramedics.

One of the officers walked behind me, his hand on his gun holster. The officer in front of me looked at me in a suspect manner, his hand too on his gun holster. I looked at the woman who was being interviewed by another officer, her eyes met mine. “Sir, can you put your hands around your back for me?” the officer in front of me said.

I was confused, what did I do wrong? I did as he asked and I was handcuffed by the officer behind me. They moved me to the curb near Old Navy and asked me to sit down. One of the officers rushed back towards the woman and the other asked me questions like who struck who first, how many punches I thrown, and if I have anything in my pockets that could cut/poke him. I couldn’t believe it, I thought for sure I was going to jail and I am supposedly the good guy in this event. I sat there waiting for the inevitable.

After five minutes of sitting there waiting, I asked why I was handcuffed. I was told it was for my own protection but I wasn’t being arrested. I wondered why I was the only one being offered this protection, neither the teenager nor the woman wore cuffs. Another officer asked me if I had a drink tonight and I answered no, unless a pot of coffee counts. Another five to ten minutes goes by and finally the same two officers that cuffed me before told me to stand up. They helped me up and took off the handcuffs. They explained to me that since I am an adult and the teenager is a minor, they had to make sure I didn’t use excessive force. I was told about a possible court date with me as a witness and other details. I was still in shock from being handcuffed.

I left the scene with sore wrists, a bruised ego and thoughts of why I didn’t bring my camcorder with me that day like I usually do. The only consolations were the smiles and many thank you’s from the woman I helped. I felt less like a hero and more like a victim, but do you know what the funny thing is? If I could redo all of this, I wouldn’t change a thing (maybe I could have gotten the other two). Logic would have me note that being such a big and tall man punching a smaller individual would have anyone think about excessive force. The question I pose to you the reader, what would you have done? Stand idly by, watch the woman get mugged or would you intervene?

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Tags: Hero Criminal Police Handcuffed handcuffs cuffs protection help woman teenager CT mugged mugging mugg