As much as I love to keep in touch with current news, I have been avoiding it lately. I would assume most people in the northland probably have a similar mindset. It’s mainly to do with the weather. There are only so many times one can hear the words “polar vortex” and “school’s  are closed” before one does something questionable to one’s television....Of course the whole Justin Beiber arrest was a turn off as well. You would think the kid attained North Korean citizenship or supported Obamacare or something with the way that ridiculousness was played out. Sometimes it’s just so much healthier to turn the TV news off. There is however, still the internet, and it’s harder to avoid media stories online. They flash into your face with little or no warning, and unless you are completely stupid it’s hard to miss headlines like “ Superior Woman Claims Police Brutality, with video.” That certainly caught my eye.

Unless you have been living under a rock, you have heard this story, and seen corresponding video. Natasha Lancour, a small young woman is seen in a parking lot outside of the Keyport Lounge. Minimal chaos ensues around her, it’s obvious there is an altercation or an argument among all of the people standing around. You see Natasha talking, possibly yelling, police officers are present and a few other bystanders, seemingly listening and trying to figure out what the fight is all about. It doesn’t appear to be anything even remotely out of control. It’s what comes next that is so shocking. Out of the corner of the video another police officer (Officer George Gothner- according to the Northland’s news Center) rushes the scene and immediately looks to be physical and threatening. He is screaming into Natasha’s face. His finger is pointing less than an inch from her body, he’s so much bigger than her his physical presence is pushing her back. Next you see him grab her by the back of her head (a very odd way to place somebody under arrest if that is in fact what he was intending.) He drags her by her hair over to his car and slams her head onto his hood. You can see her struggle, who wouldn’t struggle? She reaches up a hand as she’s trying to twist around. You can see her hand graze the side of his face/jaw area. And then- this brute with a badge lunges back and swings out with at least two (visible) closed fist punches to her face as she drops to the ground.

Natasha Lancour is someone I have heard about for years. She happens to be very close with the family of my best friend.  Any stories I have heard about Natasha have to do with what a good mom she is, or activities she is involved in with her church. There are no stories about her being rough or violent or a troublemaker. When I realized she was the girl in the video my heart just sank. There is nothing anyone could tell me that took place that can justify this officer’s actions. I’ve been watching people argue this out over facebook it would seem most people are in agreement with me. The police officer was in the wrong. He was brutal and he used excessive force. I have seen a few lame folks try and justify what he did with “oh but she was yelling and swearing at him and resisting arrest.” Here’s the deal. No one is legally obligated to respect a police officer. At least not verbally. So what if she was upset and yelling about the situation? Do you mean to tell me that makes it ok? I don’t think so. If I was to punch someone in the face just because they didn’t talk nice to me, I would be in huge trouble. Just because this officer carries a badge doesn’t give him the right to inflict pain and violence. In reality I think he has less right. I believe as an officer of the law he is supposed to have specialized training that teaches him how to NOT REACT in the manner in which he did. He screwed up to say the least, and he should suffer the consequences.

There is legal proceedings involved with this case, because of that I didn’t speak with Natasha without her attorney present about this situation, but I don’t really feel like I need to. The video speaks for itself. Ms. Lancour is now facing felony assault charges on a police officer. I call that a triple slap to the face for this poor girl. She didn’t viciously attack or assault the officer, he did the attacking. This is a matter of too much power and too much government. Everyone wants to believe that police are wonderful and they do what they must and all completely by the book. I know there are a lot of good cops, but that doesn’t mean that bad cops don’t exist. It’s just like any other person. Think about it, half the people who perpetrate horrific crimes; shootings and murders and robberies, are thought to be “normal people’ by those who know them until after they commit the crime. I feel like this officer is getting special treatment only because he’s gone to a police academy who passed him with a certificate of completion. This doesn’t make him a good person. This doesn’t mean he isn’t capable of something awful. Guess what? He did something awful, he assaulted a defenseless female. It’s on video. Shame on the Superior police department for even trying to defend his actions. It certainly makes me want to stay out of Wisconsin even more, and that’s besides the fact it’s packer country, and that’s saying a lot.

If you agree with me that Natasha Lancour is the victim in this case and any charges against her should be immediately dismissed please call Superior’s district attorney Dan Blank and tell him so. 715-395-1218. Think about if the girl on camera was you, or your daughter or your wife. Watch the video, you can find it online on any of our local news websites. If you are any kind of reasonable decent human the footage will stir a reaction inside of you. The treatment of this woman isn’t fair and it’s ok to have a voice and tell the City of Superior they have a bad cop on their payroll.