SARASOTA, Fla. — A video posted online of a Sarasota arrest is causing concern.
- Sarasota police investigating arrest
- Altercation/arrest of Govinda Howell caught on video
- Witnesses say Howell is mentally handicapped and did not understand officer's commands
As a result, the Sarasota Police Department said there is a formal and active internal affairs investigation underway.
Govinda Howell, 40, of Sarasota, was arrested and is facing charges of resisting a law enforcement officer without violence following a traffic stop where he ingested suspected narcotics.
According to police, officers observed a vehicle on Saturday at 8 p.m. in the middle of 23rd Street near North Osprey Avenue.
When officers approached the vehicle, they said Howell was in the backseat of the car. Officers said Howell ignored their orders to show his hands.
When ordered to step out of the vehicle, Howell yelled at the officers and appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, according to the arrest report.
Howell resisted and a struggle ensued with multiple officers, authorities said. Eventually, Howell was placed under arrest.
A crowd gathered around the scene during the arrest, some with phones recording the altercation.
Witnesses can be heard telling officers that Howell is mentally handicapped. His family says he suffers from a mental disorder and was unable to comply because he was scared and unaware of what was happening.
Officers also said during the struggle, Howell placed suspected narcotics in his mouth that were not recovered.
As a result, he was taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where he remains.