Kearney Police Chief Responds After Video Of Buffalo County Fair Arrest Shared On Social Media

Isaac B. Whiteface, 19, was arrested Thursday, July 25, by officers with the Kearney Police Department at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds. On Saturday, July 27, Kearney Police Chief Bryan Waugh released a statement after video of the arrest was widely shared on social media.

According to an arrest report, an Elm Creek man told police that Whiteface attacked him while he was trying to take possession of a dog. A video widely shared on social media shows two officers taking a man to the ground during an arrest at the fair. At one point, one officer punches the suspect.

Social media posts indicate that Whiteface was the suspect and that he was handcuffed at the time of the incident. Some on social media called the use of force excessive. The video is 17 seconds long and does not show the events leading up to the incident or the rest of the arrest.

In his statement, Waugh said the department was aware of the video. According to KPD policy, the department reviews officers’ use of force, Waugh said. Waugh said officers are trained to use “the least amount of force necessary to effect a lawful arrest, while defending themselves and others from harm. I have confidence in our professional police officers and the process we have in place to achieve that goal.”

The police department is reviewing the incident, Waugh said. He noted the incident was captured on multiple officers’ body cameras.

“I appreciate your patience as this process is completed,” Waugh said in the statement.

It is unclear whether the officer who filed the statement appears in the video. The statement says Whiteface resisted arrest but does not provide additional details about the suspect or officers’ actions during the arrest.

The affidavit states that Whiteface attempted to take a pit bull from the Elm Creek man, allegedly grabbing the dog by the neck. The Elm Creek man tried to stop Whiteface from taking the dog, leading to the assault.

The report states that the alleged victim had lacerations to his eye, which was covered in blood. The victim told officers that Whiteface punched him three times. Whiteface also allegedly spat in an officer’s face.

Whiteface is charged in Buffalo County Court with assault resulting in bodily injury, assaulting a public safety officer with bodily fluid and first-offense resisting arrest. All three offenses are Class 1 misdemeanors.

Whiteface pleaded not guilty to all three charges on Friday, July 26. He is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 22. Buffalo County Public Defender Jeff Wirth has been assigned to the case.