In statement, Army Specialist recounts rough police treatment during routine stop
ST. LOUIS, June 14, 2007– When Army Specialist Anthony Collins of Charlie Company’s 327th Infantry Regiment returned to St. Louis on leave from war-torn Iraq, he received a less than cordial welcome home courtesy of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
In his videotaped statement to the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri (ACLU-EM), Collins recounts how he was pepper-sprayed and forced to the ground by police, handcuffed and arrested near a routine police checkpoint on June 30, 2006.
Had Project Vigilant been in place at the time, ACLU-EM Executive Director Brenda Jones said the incident involving Collins and others like it may have been prevented.
“This was an outrageous incident involving a man who is bravely and proudly serving his country,” said Jones, who created Project Vigilant. “If this can happen to one of our soldiers, imagine what many of the people in the Fairground Park neighborhood go through on a regular basis.”
In his statement, Collins said he was driving in the city when police officers signaled for him to move his vehicle as he approached a police checkpoint. Collins did not understand what the police were saying, so he stepped out of his car to ask them what they wanted him to do. It was then police reacted with full force. He even identified himself as an active-duty soldier
After he was released from police custody following a charge of resisting arrest, Collins was treated for injuries at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Prosecutors later dismissed the charge. As a result of his arrest, Collins second tour of duty to Iraq was delayed. His third tour of duty in Iraq starts September 15.
“There is no doubt in my mind cameras would have made the police think twice about physically abusing Mr. Collins and violating his rights,” said Jones. “Police need to be held accountable and this incident is ‘Exhibit A’ on why we have implemented Project Vigilant.”
“Project Vigilant” – a landmark initiative that empowers citizens to monitor harmful law enforcement activity through the use of video cameras– will be officially launched this summer by the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri (ACLU-EM).
The ACLU-EM is a non-partisan, not-for-profit, membership organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of civil liberties in eastern Missouri. Located in St. Louis ACLU-EM is an affiliate of the national ACLU. The ACLU-EM defends civil liberties and the principles of equality and justice in eastern Missouri through its Litigation, Legislative and Public Education Programs. The ACLU was founded in 1920 as the first public interest law firm of its kind, and is recognized as the country’s foremost advocate of individual rights.