Michelle Jordan, the woman whose rough arrest led to a shakeup at the LAPD, says she still respects police but contends the way two officers treated her was wrong. Gordon Tokumatsu reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Sept. 6, 2012.
Attorney: Video of Alleged Rough Arrest "Only Part of the Story"
The video of LAPD officers slamming a woman to the ground after a traffic stop prompt the LAPD chief to removal Capt. Joe Hiltner from his command at the Foothill Area Division. Hiltner has filed a discrimination, harassment lawsuit against the department and his attorney, Steven Brock, says there are reasons by Hiltner didn t immediately remove the officers from the field. Gordon Tokumatsu reports from Chino Hills for the NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on Sept. 4, 2012.
Experts, LAPD Chief Weigh in on Alleged Rough Arrest
Peter Bibring with the American Civil Liberties Union says police unions and civil rights group will be watching how the LAPD handles the recorded arrest of 34-year-old Michelle Jordan, who was thrown to the ground during the exchange. Gordon Tokumatsu reports from Downtown Los Angeles for the NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on Aug. 29, 2012.
The 34-year-old woman whose rough arrest at the hands of police was captured on surveillance video said the humiliation of the experience was as bad as the physical pain.
"I was scared. I was very, very frightened and, to be honest, humiliated … To have two men who are larger than me -- and police officers to boot -- treat me that way was shocking," Michelle Jordan told NBC4 on Thursday, in her first interview since the incident.
On Aug. 21, police pulled over Jordan in the Tujunga area on suspicion of talking on her cell phone while driving. While she was handcuffed, officers sat her down. Later, one of the officers threw her head-first to the ground.
Jordan has previously admitted she was being argumentative with police.
Surveillance video -- revealed first on NBC4 -- along with photos of her injuries, sparked outrage over the arrest. The officers' supervisor was later demoted.
"I never expected to go through this. Nobody would," she said. "It's overwhelming, for sure. It's nothing I ever expected would have happened to me. …if it could happen to me, it could happen to anybody."
"I think if you look at me, you can see, I'm not very threatening," Jordan said. "I feel like there's nothing I could have done differently."
Jordan said that as a registered nurse she has "great respect for law enforcement," and she's hoping for change in the Los Angeles Police Department as a result of the incident.
"I'd really like to see the LAPD take procedures to prevent this from happening to another person," she said.
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