Body Camera Captures Altercation With Chickasha Police Officer

<p>A suspect tried&nbsp;to fight a Chickasha police officer during a call for help on Friday.&nbsp;</p>

Wednesday, October 19th 2016, 11:31 pm

By: News 9


A suspect tried to fight a Chickasha police officer during a call for help on Friday.

A body camera worn by officer Cliff Walker showed the incident from the officer's perspective.

On Friday, the mother of James Burns, 30, reported to police that her son was out of control.

When the officer arrives to the home on Florida Avenue, he was greeted by family and was warned that Burns had outstanding warrants and was acting violent.

Chickasha police said when the officer approached Burns he walked aggressively toward the officer.

Two women tried to intervene.

"An altercation then occurred between he and the two women which caused our officer to go hands on with that subject," detective Lauren Mathews said.

As a spokeswoman for the department, Mathews further explained Burns fought the officer throughout the arrest.

"What the camera did not show in that altercation was that the subject was repeatedly kicking our officer and trying to shove the officer," she said.

At one point, police say Burns was gripping a piece of wood -- a potential weapon.

Burns was arrested for assault and battery on the officer.

For more than a year, 23 body cameras have been used in Chickasha. In 2016, they've had approximately 11 assaults on officers. 

"It's becoming the norm, and it's becoming OK to shove a officer or lay hands on an officer when it is not at all, it is still a felony and still a serious offense," Matthews said.

Mathews experienced it firsthand. She said a suspect, who was under the influence of drugs, broke her nose during a past altercation.

Now, each case is a reminder. Mathews said it is disheartening but she and her fellow officers remain dedicated to the job.

"To think there's people out there who hate me simply for the uniform that I wear it breaks my heart," Mathews said. "It dampers my spirit a little but it makes me push on to make a difference."

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