Who is Trooper Rick Wiseman?
Trooper Rick Wiseman is a former West Virginia state trooper who was fired and indicted for using excessive force and entering a home without a warrant. According to Reddit, the incident occurred on June 12, 2022, when a homeowner called the police to report that a church had blocked off access to the street with cones. After speaking with Wiseman, the homeowner went into his home, and Wiseman followed him inside without permission. He then became hostile and aggressive when the homeowner asked him to leave, and smacked the phone out of his hand when he tried to record the encounter.
What did the video show?
The video of the incident was posted on Tik Tok by the homeowner’s daughter, who witnessed the whole ordeal. According to The Civil Rights Lawyer, the video showed Wiseman yelling at the homeowner, “You do not raise your voice at me.” He also threatened to arrest him for obstructing an officer and interfering with a church service. The video also captured Wiseman hitting the phone out of the homeowner’s hand, causing it to fall on the floor and break. The video ended with Wiseman grabbing the homeowner by the arm and dragging him outside.
What were the consequences?
The video went viral on social media and sparked outrage among many people who saw it as a clear violation of civil rights and an abuse of power. According to Yahoo News, Wiseman was fired from his job on July 7, 2022, after an internal investigation by the West Virginia State Police. He was also indicted by a federal grand jury on August 1, 2023, on one count of deprivation of rights under color of law. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
What are the implications?
The case of Trooper Rick Wiseman is not an isolated one. It is part of a larger problem of police brutality and misconduct that has plagued the United States for decades. According to Forbes, in 2020 alone, there were 1,127 people killed by police in the country, and only 16 officers were charged with murder or manslaughter. The case also highlights the need for more accountability and transparency in law enforcement, as well as more training and education on how to respect and protect the rights of citizens. As The i on MSN.com stated, “The public deserves better from those who are sworn to serve and protect them.”