Family of man who died in Minneapolis police custody in 2010 still waiting for promised reforms
Footage captured Minneapolis police officers using a similar restraint on David Smith in 2010. (Robins Kaplan LLP)
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The family of a man who died in Minneapolis police custody a decade ago wants to know why promised reforms still haven’t happened.
David Smith died in police custody at the downtown YMCA in 2010. The attorneys in the case say the officers used a restraint hold very similar to the one used on George Floyd on May 25, 2020.
Smith’s family received a $3 million settlement, and the MPD promised to train their officers in the dangers of mechanical asphyxiation. Angela Smith, David's sister, called into Tuesday night's Minneapolis Police Conduct Oversight Commission meeting to express her concerns following Floyd's death.
“All of our efforts were in vain, we had some sense of peace having this clause in the settlement,” said Angela Smith during the call. “We thought we had made a difference, but now I watch George Floyd call out for his mom. I just don’t know what else to do.”
Wednesday, FOX 9 asked Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo what happened to those promised reforms.
“We do extensive training regarding the ABC's - the airway, positioning for recovery, for persons who were trying to provide care - they may have had a physical or medical emergency, so we absolutely do train in that,” Chief Arradondo said.
After Smith’s death, officers were shown a training video warning on the asphyxiation dangers of keeping a handcuffed suspect face down in the prone position. A department spokesperson says it is unclear whether all the officers on the force were shown that video.