This report is full of lies right here -
“While the beginning of body-worn camera footage released by police does not include audio, which is customary on modern body cams, the video appears to show Kerley approaching two officers and being directed to leave the area. He then approaches a third officer, who puts his hand toward Kerley's chest in what is described in the written police report as an attempt to create space between them as a safety precaution. Kerley then moves the officer's hand away, and a scuffle ensues.”
Firstly watch the language here - He didn’t “approach the officer” to confront them, he was trying to walk away between the golf cart and the other car. Secondly, they were not “trying to create space” that’s a complete lie! They actually were doing the opposite and pinched him in and got in front and behind him to get him trapped in that “space”. The hand was not just towards his chest - he put his hand on his chest and pushed back - Fred then gently pushed the hand down and off his chest and then steps backwards slightly only to be pushed by the other officer behind him forwards into the other officer in front of Fred.
The judge is right - It should have been handled differently! The Police Union Statement’ was total deck stacking as well, in that it exaggerated a disputable unrelated previous charge, that those officers knew nothing about. Trying to play the “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire” game tactic linking incongruent events in the past, to cover their asses in an unnecessarily aggressive confrontational arrest.