Attorney General Gentner Drummond has dismissed a felony assault and battery charge against Oklahoma City police officer Joseph Gibson, who was accused of using excessive force against 71-year-old Lich Vu during a traffic stop. Vu suffered serious injuries, including a brain bleed, orbital fracture, and neck fracture, after being taken to the ground by Gibson following a brief argument and physical contact.
Body camera footage from the October 27 incident shows Vu disputing a ticket, touching Gibson’s vest with the back of his hand, and telling him to “shut up” before Gibson performed the takedown. Vu’s injuries led to public outcry, especially from Oklahoma City’s Vietnamese community, calling for justice.
Drummond justified dismissing the charges, stating, “As Attorney General, I will not permit Oklahoma police officers to face criminal prosecution for conduct adhering to their training.” He acknowledged the severity of Vu’s injuries but added, “I do not believe the officer exhibited criminal intent.”
Emphasizing public safety, Drummond said, “Our officers work under constant stress, where the most routine interactions can become life-threatening in an instant.” He urged compliance with officers’ instructions, explaining, “No individual is allowed to hit or push an officer, regardless of whether he or she doesn’t understand English well or comes from a different culture.”
While the criminal case is dropped, an internal investigation is ongoing and may lead to administrative consequences for Gibson. “The Oklahoma City Police Department is conducting a thorough and rigorous investigation to determine whether Sgt. Gibson violated any policies or procedures,” Drummond noted.
Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna criticized the decision, saying, “I am surprised and disappointed that Attorney General Gentner Drummond took this case away from my office and the citizens of Oklahoma County.”
The police department declined to comment on Drummond’s ruling, leaving the case’s outcome dependent on the results of its internal investigation.
Link: KOCO
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