The Trump Effect visits Galveston Texas. I got a Facebook message that said a kid took a picture of a black man that was being pulled by an officer on a horse with a leash.

It does not matter if the black man in the photograph is a criminal. The depiction of his interface with police officers is unforgivable and deserving of much more than a simple reprimand/ I called the Galveston Police Department and am awaiting a callback.

Adrienne Bell posted the following Facebook message.

We have verified with law enforcement officials in Galveston, that the photograph taken in Galveston is real. It is hard to understand why these officers felt this young man required a leash, as he was handcuffed and walking between two mounted officers. It is a scene that has invoked anger, disgust, and questions from the community. We will be watching for the Galveston Police Department’s response to their investigation of this matter and the accountability of the officers involved. Swift action is needed to ensure that no one is demeaned in this manner again, and arrest procedures are fair, just, and humane.

Galveston Police officer on horse pulls a black man on a leash

The normalization, of racism, sexism, xenophobia, misogyny, criminality by a sect, and just basic indecency, makes these occurrences since the election of the current president vogue.

Galveston Police Department Press Release

Who is this man?: Donald Neely (06/15/1976)

Why was he detained or arrested?: He was arrested for Criminal Trespass at 306 22nd Street.

It appears the man is being led by officer holding a rope tied to the man’s hands. Is that accurate?: No. Mister Neely was handcuffed, and a line was clipped to the handcuffs

Where was the man being led to?: Mister Neely was being led to 21st and Market, where the Mounted Patrol Unit was staging from.

Were the officers body cameras on at the time this man was being detained?: Yes, the body cameras were activated

The officers involved were familiar with Mister Neely, and were aware that he had been warned against trespassing upon this specific location several times.

“Although this is a trained technique and best practice in some scenarios, I believe our officers showed poor judgement in this instance and could have waited for a transport unit at the location of arrest. My officers did not have any malicious intent at the time of the arrest, but we have immediately changed the policy to prevent the use of this technique and will review all mounted training and procedures for more appropriate methods.” Chief Vernon L. Hale, III

It is ironic that they do not want to call it a leash. It is attached to the handcuffs. It is a leash. They also say that there was no ill-intent by the officers. The problem is that some see others as less than and as such doing the wrong to them may not seem to come with ill-intent. Patrick Crusius killed 22 people in El Paso. He was not gunned down. He was escorted with dignity to a police car.