Police in Buckeye, Arizona have released bodycam footage of an officer aggressively detaining a 14-year-old boy with autism who he believed was on drugs.
Footage of the July 2017 incident shows Officer Grossman approaching the teen, named Connor, and asking what he's doing. Connor tells Grossman that he is "stimming."
Stimming is a common technique used by people with autism to relieve stress. Connor was using a piece of string that the officer thought was an inhalant drug,
Grossman asks Connor if he has an ID. The teen tells him "no" and turns to walk away. That's when Grossman grabs him by the wrists.
Connor panics and Grossman forces him onto the ground. The 14-year-old screams as the officer orders him to stop moving.
Eventually, Connor's caretaker shows up and helps de-escalate the situation. She asks Grossman if he knows anything about autism. The officer replies, "No."
Watch the video above.
According to KPNX, the incident began when Officer Grossman saw the teen alone in a park. Authorities said Connor was "moving his hand to his face in a manner consistent with inhaling."
Police said Connor was held on the ground for about two minutes before other officers arrived and the teen was released to sit with his caretaker. He suffered abrasions on his back and arm during the encounter, according to his parent.
Buckeye police concluded that the officer's actions were appropriate.
Connor's family is asking for mandatory training for all Buckeye police officers, and a personal apology from Grossman. They also want Grossman to perform community service within the autistic community.