Attorney General Gentner Drummond has dismissed criminal charges against Oklahoma City Police Officer Joseph Gibson, who was accused of using excessive force against 71-year-old Lich Vu during an October traffic stop. The decision to dismiss the aggravated assault and battery charges has grown controversial, echoing sentiments of discontent across Oklahoma, particularly among Vu's family and the Vietnamese-American community.
The incident leading to the charges took place on October 27, when Officer Gibson pulled over Vu after he allegedly made an illegal U-turn following a minor collision. Body camera footage disclosed by law enforcement illustrated Vu engaging with Gibson, who was issuing him a citation. The altercation escalated when Vu, feeling slighted, touched Gibson's arm before arguing with him.
According to Drummond’s announcement, Vu's failure to control his interactions with the officer contributed to the altercation. He stated, “While the outcome of this incident is unquestionably devastating for Mr. Vu and his family, I do not believe the officer exhibited criminal intent.” This sentiment forms the basis of Drummond’s justification to dismiss the charges, arguing the need for officers to maintain authority and control during potentially hazardous encounters.
Drummond's comments emphasized the expectations placed upon both law enforcement and the public during interactions. “Our law enforcement officers work under constant stress, where the most routine interactions can become life-threatening in an instant,” he said. “For everyone’s safety, it is imperative to follow an officer’s instructions and to never strike, push, or make any kind of unwelcome physical contact with an officer.” He argued such conduct, even if unintentional, can lead to unpredictable and dangerous situations.
While Drummond defended Officer Gibson's actions as compliant with training procedures, it has raised questions about the appropriateness of such force against vulnerable individuals. Vu sustained injuries including orbital and neck fractures, compounded by significant trauma leading to hospitalization. Following the announcement of the charges' dismissal, Attorney Behenna expressed her displeasure and surprise, asserting the importance of accountability. “I am surprised and disappointed,” Behenna stated, indicating her belief the original charges reflected the incident’s nature.
The controversy has galvanized responses from various sectors, particularly from community leaders and advocates for police accountability within the Vietnamese-American population. Influential figures from this community voiced deep concerns about their members' treatment during police encounters, especially highlighting the language barriers Vu faced during his interaction with Gibson.
Thuan Nguyen, president-elect of the Vietnamese American Community of Oklahoma, declared their dissatisfaction, stating, “We seek the maximum penalty. We feel he needs to be terminated. This officer really needs to not be out there.” Clearly, the community feels the urgency for systemic change and deliberate reckoning over police tactics affecting minorities.
Despite the dismissal, Drummond's office specified the Oklahoma City Police Department continues to pursue internal investigations concerning Gibsons’ conduct to assess potential policy violations. The outcomes could lead to non-criminal accountability measures, emphasizing the balance of maintaining law enforcement integrity and ensuring community trust.
The Fraternal Order of Police weighed in on the matter, extending condolences to Vu but supporting Drummond's decision. Their statement reflected the challenges officers face during operations, stating, “Our members often have to make split-second decisions, and they cannot control the outcome of every situation.” This reiterates the debate surrounding police procedures and the potentially dire repercussions of those decisions.
Reflecting on the broader impact, Drummond concluded: “No individual is allowed to hit or push an officer, regardless of whether he or she doesn’t understand English well orcomes from a different culture.” Such remarks signify not only the complexity of policing policies but also their application, and the disparities faced by individuals from different backgrounds.
The community's response to this incident remains fervent, as they continue to call for improved measures for accountability and interaction standards with the police. The significance of this case transcends the specifics of the incident, highlighting enduring issues within policing practices across Oklahoma and beyond.
Moving forward, the Oklahoma City Police Department remains under scrutiny as it navigates this investigation and the wider public discourse on police accountability and racial justice remains just as pressing.
