Video shows ‘excessive force’ arrest that got veteran deputy fired

MIAMI – Broward Deputy Ronald Thurston was fired over an excessive force incident involving a disarmed suspect in 2020.

Sheriff Gregory Tony released this statement regarding the termination of the veteran BSO deputy:

“The Broward Sheriff’s Office will not tolerate any excessive use of force. In this case, a veteran deputy, Ronald Thurston, was called to a situation involving a man in North Lauderdale and made a series of choices that escalated the call and led to his firing. Thurston responded to the 100 block of San Remo Boulevard on April 1, 2020, as part of a follow-up investigation into a prior crime. After making contact with the individual, the man initially refused to cooperate with Thurston’s lawful commands and attempted to flee. After Thurston pulled his gun and threatened to shoot him, the man complied and immediately got on the ground face down. At that point, Thurston had every opportunity to de-escalate the situation, yet he chose not to. Thurston kept his knee on the man’s neck, even after he expressed discomfort and asked Thurston to remove his knee. After other deputies arrived to assist, the man was secured, and a gun was removed from his pocket during the pat-down search. With back-up deputies on scene, the man handcuffed, and the situation under control, Thurston struck him with his forearm, slamming the man’s head into a BSO vehicle. Once Internal Affairs learned of the use of force incident, BSO Public Corruption Unit detectives immediately began investigating. They turned their case findings over to the Broward State Attorney’s Office on Sept. 22, 2020, for possible criminal charges. The State Attorney’s Office declined to file criminal charges against Thurston. The administrative investigation resumed and, once completed, was sent to BSO’s Professional Standards Committee (PSC). The PSC recommended a three-day suspension for Thurston.

It’s clear from the video and the entire investigation conducted by BSO, Thurston acted in a manner outside the bounds of proper and effective law enforcement and should be terminated. His actions were egregious and do not reflect our agency’s training and de-escalation tactics. His actions show that he possesses neither the temperament nor the decision-making ability to wear a badge and carry a gun. Equally concerning was a comment Thurston made during his Garrity Statement. When asked if he could do things differently in the future Thurston said, “I probably would have killed him right there, and we wouldn’t be sitting here talking about it.”

I have said time and time again that when deputies do the right thing, I will have their back and support them. Conversely, when deputies are accused of stepping out of line, they will be investigated and, when necessary, held accountable for their actions,” Sheriff Gregory Tony said.