Update: Pocatello Detective Caught Assaulting Man on Video Has Resigned

In July, CopBlock Network Contributor Steven Thomas posted the dash cam video of Pocatello Idaho Detective Steven Westfall smashing his elbow into the head of a man, who was already handcuffed and being held by two out of the four other officers present. Det. Westfall was subsequently charged with “unnecessary assault by an officer,” a misdemeanor. Westfall has since resigned and is no longer with the Pocatello Police Department after nine years.

James Rutherford the man being assaulted on that video was being arrested for trespassing at the time. He also contends that the real reason for Westfall’s use of force against him was that he was attempting to record him at the time:

Rutherford said he’s retained an attorney and has not ruled out taking civil action against Westfall. 

But first, Rutherford said, he has to face the charges that resulted from the July 10 incident. He was cited for trespass and resisting arrest.

“I believe that the video from the building is going to show that I was cooperating,” Rutherford said. “I just wanted to record the incident.”

He came contact with Westfall after Rutherford refused to submit to a search and was asked to leave the IRS office in the Omni Building.

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The security guard notified Pocatello police, who responded and escorted Rutherford out of the building. He claims that he was placed under arrest when he attempted to record the incident using his cellphone.

Video from a police dashboard camera shows Westfall coming down hard on Rutherford’s head with his elbow. 

DashCam Video of Steven Westfall Assaulting James Rutherford

Full Raw Video of Det. Steven Westfall Assaulting a Man, Who Was Already Detained

Update: Pocatello Detective Caught Assaulting Man on Video Has Resigned is a post from Cop Block – Badges Don’t Grant Extra Rights