A police officer who watched and laughed as her male colleague broke an elderly woman's arm and dislocated her shoulder, has been jailed.
Daria Jalali was sentenced to 45 days in jail followed by three years of probation for a case the presiding judge described as “incomprehensible.”
The 28-year-old officer was using a body-worn camera and the judge watched the 12 minute footage showing how Karen Garner, who had dementia, was treated during the arrest in 2020.
Policeman Austin Hopp twisted the arm of Mrs Garner and pushed her to the floor as she picked flowers, after she had left a Walmart store without paying for goods valued at $14 - equivalent to around £10.
The case in the city of Loveland, Colorado in the USA saw officer Hopp sentenced to five years in prison in May after pleading guilty to second-degree assault.
The city also settled a civil case regarding Mrs Garner’s arrest for $3million in September of 2021.
Judicial District Court Judge Joshua Lehman “It is just tragic that this even happened and it was compounded by your continuous choices that you made throughout the two hours you were with her.
“You need to recognise that.”
Allisa Swartz, Mrs Garner’s emotional daughter, said it was hard to watch the footage once again of her mother being arrested.
Speaking through her tears she said her mother was humiliated by Jalali and Hopp.
She added that she is “not sure how (Jalali) can be proud” in her assistance in the arrest of Garner, who she said was not only 73-years-old - but just 5ft tall and less than 100 pounds.
“Ms Jalali was given a badge to protect and to serve and that is not what she did,” she said.
John Steward, Mrs Garner’s son, said his mother as a wonderful family member who loved spending time with her family and baking.
He added that his mum did not deserve what happened to her.
John added that Jalali had “every opportunity to stop the cruelty and do the right thing, but did not".
He said that he will never forget the footage that he had seen of Mrs Garner’s arrest, adding that Jalali has no idea the stress, pain and sadness it has inflicted on their entire family.
“We all have choices to make in life, and all our choices have consequences,” he said. “
"I ask that justice be served for my mom today.”
