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Facebook Post, Video Of Chico Police Arrest Claims Excessive Use Of Force

A blurry Facebook video and accusations of overzealous use-of-force over the weekend prompted a lengthy official rebuttal from Chico police Monday.

The grainy, night-time video shows a young, college-age woman trying to talk her way out of an arrest. The woman and her young female companions had apparently just parked in front of their home. The officer twists the woman’s hand behind as he handcuffs her. She indicates that it hurts and begins to pull way. In a few seconds she's on the ground.

It is unclear how many officers were on the scene.

During the arrest the women repeatedly ask what they have done wrong.

Through sobs, another young woman explains to a different officer that her friend had earlier seen a different motorist pulled over, and had stopped to observe.  Later, after parking in front of their home, they were confronted by officers determined to make arrests.

According to one of the women, her roommate was arrested and taken to the county jail for having a broken taillight. In the video, the officer cites an inoperative license plate light.

Police describe the event differently. According to a three-page press release, the women repeatedly failed to comply with lawful orders. Officers blamed one woman for falling and causing her own injuries. The other woman’s injuries were not explained.

Police acknowledged that a mobile phone used by one of the arrestees to record the incident disappeared during or after the arrest.

The women, 21 and 19 years old, were charged with resisting arrest.