San Jose Police Officer Jared Yuen is facing an internal investigation after video on social media apparently showed him anxious and seemingly excited to confront protesters, reports San Jose Inside.
Yuen has been moved off active street duty during the investigation, according to ABC7.
In one video, Yuen appears to be smiling and swaying while holding a projectile launcher.
In another video, he is heard screaming an expletive. According to the tweet, he is saying “let’s get this motherf*cker.” It is not clear to this reporter exactly what Yuen is saying, although I can confirm he used foul language.
Several protesters call out Yuen’s action saying he seems to be enjoying himself too much.
Many who watched the video are calling for Yuen to be fired.
“Officer Yuen’s actions are extremely dangerous because you have someone who actually has a license to kill,” Raj Jayadeve, director of the social justice group, Silicon Valley De-Bug, said to the Mercury News. “It’s one thing for someone to be a bully. But when you have the tools and state authority to act upon that violent aggression, it’s not just words, as far as I can see it. It’s a criminal threat.”
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo also condemned Yuen calling his statements disturbing. So did Police Chief Eddie Garcia.
“I’m not happy about this, and I’m not defending this,” Garcia said. “He let his emotions get the best of him, and it’s not right.”
City Council person Lan Diep called for caution in dealing with Yuen.
“We have to proceed and call out wrongs, but we need to provide space to win people’s hearts and minds and allow them a chance to atone and win allies as we continue on the righteous path,” Diep said to ABC7.
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