Chief Putney Reacts To Body Cam Video Showing Officer Point Gun At Suspect’s Head

“People see that I am telling the truth how it was handled and it was wrong,” said James Yarborough.

James Yarborough wants the public to see this police body cam video from March of 2016. It shows officer Jon Dunham point a gun to his head. You also see Yarborough being punched in the face.

In the video you hear police yell to stop resisting, and you hear Yarborough say I’m not. Then Officer Jon Dunham say he will kill him. A CMPD internal affairs review found the officers acted reasonably, but Chief Putney says the video certainly raises issues.

“I’m not going to defend some of the language because we do have policies that restrict what can be said and in what manner nor am I going to defend all of tactics used,” said Chief Putney.

“I was told to put my hands behind my back when there’s a guy laying on top of me and guys are holding my hands so I don’t know how I was ever going to be able to do that,” said Yarborough.

Yarborough admits he ran that day, he says he wanted to get away from a car where someone was trying to sell him a gun. He can’t be near guns because he’s a convicted felon.

“I knew I shouldn’t have ran I know I shouldn’t have ran but circumstances at that moment I knew I had to get away from that situation, this ain’t my fight,” said Yarborough.

Putney told reporters Thursday that three of the four officers followed protocol, and unfortunately force is part of policing.

“I’m getting used to being on edge, I think that’s a new reality,” said Chief Putney.

Yarborough says he wants someone held accountable because he’s the one who now lives on edge from police.

” I just try to stay out of the way and stay to myself don’t bother nobody spend time with my kids and my grandbaby,” said Yarborough.