Gales Point Family Alleges Beatings After Late‑Night Arrests

A late‑night police operation in Gales Point Manatee has ignited a different kind of firestorm, one centered not on the arrests themselves, but on what allegedly happened after two young men were detained. Norman Bowen and Kizan Williams are still in police custody, but the spotlight has shifted to the officers involved. Bowen, his arm now in a cast and sling for a fractured wrist, says he was beaten so badly he lost consciousness, suffering injuries to his knees, back, and mouth. His sister, Diana Slusher, claims she tried to intervene, only to be slapped so hard by an officer that she blacked out and had to be revived with water. The allegations have moved quickly up the chain. The Professional Standards Bureau has already launched an investigation, while the family’s attorney, Norman Rodriguez, prepares not only for the criminal case against the young men but also potential civil action against the department.

 

Norman Rodriguez, Attorney-at-Law

“My instructions are that there were five officers, two BDF officers and three police officers, but the driver remained in the vehicle and that the BDF officers did not indulge themselves in that kind of behavior. They stood by and well respected that the police was in control, and it was  a corporal and a regular police officer who inflicted the beating on Norman and Ms. Slusher.”

 

Britney Gordon

“After receiving their injuries, were they detained?”

 

Norman Rodriguez

“Yes, they were detained and Mr. Bowen was taken to the hospital. But he has instructed me that he was afraid to go with the same officers because of the threats that were made against him. But yes, they were detained and up to, at this point, I believe that they’re still detained and I have had some indication that charges will be levied, at least one charge against each of them.”

 

Reporter

“For what?”

 

Norman Rodriguez

“My understanding it might be for some gun charge, but Mr. Williams has, and he showed surprise and he said he wanted to just find out from the officers what is the reason for his detention, because he knows that he’s not guilty of anything, as Mr. Bowen has indicated. A request was made for Mr. Bowen to be taken back to the hospital as he complained of pain in his chest from a beating that he took in that area. My understanding that he was hit so bad last night with a boot or a foot in a boot, I should say that he lost consciousness. The allegations are being made and even the officers who are alleged to have committed the acts, they have a right to a due process. But one thing the police department has to understand, and I believe that the police department itself does understand that they are law enforcers to the point that they take complaints, investigate and charge. Punishment is for a judge after a person has been found guilty. There’s no reason for any officer to get angry to that point that you will believe that you have the right to inflict injuries on people. And if at the end of the investigation, if that is found to be. I am sure that the police department will address it.”

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

Watch the full newscast here: