The swift release of body camera footage depicting the events leading up to a police shooting in New Rochelle, New York, has ignited a discussion among legal experts and law enforcement professionals. The incident involved the shooting of Jarrell Garris, 37, on July 3rd, following a reported shoplifting incident. Garris tragically passed away on Monday due to injuries sustained during the confrontation.
The New Rochelle Police Department promptly released video clips from three officers' bodycams on the same day as the shooting. The footage captures the interaction between officers Kari Bird, Gabrielle Chavarry, Detective Steven Conn, and Garris. Initially, two female officers question Garris about the alleged shoplifting. Upon Detective Conn's arrival, Garris is informed of his arrest. A struggle ensues as officers attempt to handcuff Garris, culminating in Conn shouting "Tase him! He's got a gun!" The video abruptly ends before the shooting itself.
Images from bodycam footage released by the New Rochelle Police Department show the moments before the shooting of Jarrell Garris. (New Rochelle Police Department)
Civil rights attorney Mayo Bartlett views the rapid release of the footage as a positive step towards transparency, potentially fostering trust between the police and the community. He believes the clips demonstrate that the officers followed protocol, but suggests there might be room for improvement in how police engage with individuals. He points out that Garris appeared to resist arrest as soon as it was announced.
A still image from police bodycam footage shows Jarrell Garris resisting arrest.
Conversely, retired NYPD Sergeant Joseph Giacalone expresses concerns about the immediate release of such footage. He argues that while transparency is important, the court of public opinion can be swayed quickly, and premature release in ambiguous cases could spark unrest. He advocates for a balanced approach, acknowledging the benefits of bodycams but emphasizing the need for careful consideration before public dissemination.
Bodycam footage shows Jarrell Garris struggling with New Rochelle police officers. (New Rochelle Police Department)
Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) has criticized the shooting as "senseless," highlighting Garris's struggles with schizophrenia. He issued a statement prematurely reporting Garris's death, which was later retracted and corrected. The New York State Attorney General's Office confirmed Garris's passing on Monday. The incident is currently under investigation by the New York State Police and the state attorney general.
