Reports of police treating people unfairly in big metropolises are nothing new, but it’s rare to hear of it happening in lesser-known cities. Just this past week, KTL reported an instance of alleged police brutality right here in our backyard—in Upland, California.
Just before noon on May 14, 26-year-old Upland resident Johnathan Trefrey was approached at his home by police who had an arrest warrant. When they tried to take him into custody, Trefrey says he asked what the arrest warrant was for, and then the police put his hands behind his back, pushed him away, and tasered him. Police took Trefrey to the hospital for treatment and issued him a citation for resisting arrest.
A force investigative unit is looking into the incident, which will likely take a few days. Video captured on the dashcam of one of the patrol cars and both officer’s body camera videos will be considered as evidence. One of his friends, identified by KTLA as Jay, happened to be driving by at the time and caught the last part of the incident on video on his phone, which will also be considered in the ongoing investigation.
Oddly enough, soon after this occurrence, officers also arrested his brother Ryan for making threats towards officers while they were doing their duties. Ryan Trefrey remains in jail.
Police mistreatment of people they’re arresting is a frequent theme in the news these days, but it’s so important to continue reporting it so that solutions can be brought about.
In New York City last year, police put Eric Garner in a chokehold, and even though he clearly said he couldn’t breathe, he died as a result. Countless other victims of police brutality have been popping up in the news—provoking anger and frustration, showing that Americans aren’t going to put up with unjust treatment by police any longer. Victims, their families, and the general public want answers. Police need to learn to respect everyone, including people they are arresting. If the allegations in this Upland case are correct, there was no reason to taser Johnathan Trefrey. He has reported that after this incident, he has been experiencing chest and back pain as a result.
If you’ve been arrested recently and the police mistreated you, don’t ignore it. Call Chambers Law Firm and Southern California’s top criminal defense attorney, Dan Chambers, will personally meet with you to discuss your situation. No one should have to put up with cruel treatment by the police or anyone else. The State of California has laws in place that may be applied to your case to get justice. Call 714-760-4088 to set up a free initial consultation today. Seek the justice you deserve now.
