The Oklahoma Attorney General has dropped criminal charges against a police officer accused of slamming a 71-year-old man to the ground during a traffic stop in October. The charges of aggravated assault and battery brought by Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicky Behenna against Oklahoma City Police Sgt. Joseph Gibson have been dismissed. Body camera footage from the incident showed Gibson stopping Lich Vu for an illegal U-turn after a minor accident. The video showed an argument between Vu and Gibson, which escalated when Vu appeared to touch Gibson’s arm. Gibson then grabbed Vu’s hand, pulled it behind his back, and threw him to the ground. Vu suffered significant injuries, including an orbital fracture, neck fracture, and brain bleed. Attorney General Gentner Drummond stated that he does not believe the officer exhibited criminal intent, and emphasized the importance of not making unwanted physical contact with law enforcement officers.
Drummond highlighted the stress and potential dangers that law enforcement officers face in their line of work, noting that routine interactions can quickly become life-threatening. He emphasized the importance of following an officer’s instructions and avoiding physical contact with them. Drummond stated that the incident would not have occurred if Vu had kept his hands to himself. Despite dropping the criminal charge, Drummond mentioned that the internal investigation into the incident is ongoing and could lead to non-criminal forms of accountability for Sgt. Gibson. Responding to Drummond’s decision, Behenna expressed surprise and disappointment that the case was taken away from her office and the citizens of Oklahoma County. The Oklahoma City Fraternal Order of Police supported Drummond’s decision, stating that charging Gibson with a crime for following his training would be unreasonable.
Gibson’s attorney, former Attorney General Mike Hunter, supported the decision to drop charges against his client, describing it as reasoned and correct. Hunter appreciated Drummond’s statement of support for the difficult decisions that law enforcement officers must make. The Vietnamese American Community of Oklahoma, which had been in contact with Vu’s family, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The incident has raised questions about the use of force by law enforcement officers and the accountability measures in place for such actions. The Attorney General’s decision to drop charges against Gibson has sparked debate on the proper handling of cases involving police misconduct and excessive force.
The Attorney General’s decision not to prosecute Gibson has been criticized by some, who argue that the officer’s actions were excessive and unjustified. Others have expressed support for the decision, citing the challenging and high-pressure situations that law enforcement officers often find themselves in. The incident has brought attention to the need for improved training and accountability within police departments to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. Questions remain about the internal investigation into the incident and what non-criminal forms of accountability may be pursued for Sgt. Gibson. The case highlights the complex and controversial nature of police-civilian interactions and the challenges in ensuring justice and fairness for all parties involved. Ongoing discussions and debates are likely to continue as the community processes and reacts to the Attorney General’s decision.
