Over the last several days the video and story about Keene High’s “school resource officer” Joshua English attacking and tackling a student for allegedly vaping in the school’s bathroom, has gone viral. However, there’s more to the story than cop-attacks-teen, though this incident alone is bad enough. In case you haven’t heard about this incident, according to other students the young man who was viciously attacked by English was vaping in the bathroom and English confronted him. The student heroically refused to identify himself to the armed, intimidating, uniformed man and walked out of the bathroom. Moments later, English bursted out of the bathroom and tackled the peaceful student, subduing him with a shocking level of force.
Thankfully, another brave student pulled out their phone upon hearing a commotion from inside the bathroom and captured the entire tackling on video:
Understandably many are outraged at the officer’s use of force over a simple vaping incident, but that’s not really what caused English to fly into a violent rage. The young victim’s real crime was disobedience. The youth had the gall to act as though he were a free man, walking away from a threatening, potentially violent anti-nicotine nuisance and attempting to go about his day. English has his “authority” to worry about and can’t possibly be seen by others as someone who one could just walk away from without consequence, so he used violence to dominate the young man in front of a crowd of people.
Keene Police have been making headlines nationwide for proclaiming that English was fully within police guidelines for his use of force against the “subject” – yes, that’s actually how they refer to the rest of us non-gang members. Keene police chief Steve Russo exonerated English in a recent release, saying his agent had not violated any department guidelines or state statutes, but Russo said further that English was worried the young man was a potential trespasser, claiming to the Union Leader, “At that point, he didn’t even know he was a student”.
Keene Police Officer Joshua English
While Keene Police are trying to make English look like a hero protecting the school from a potential intruder, the reality is much different. In KPD’s official release, they claim the Keene Police and the school district are, “committed to maintaining the safety and security of the students…which may regrettably include when necessary, the use of force to secure that safety.” There were no allegations the young victim was doing anything violent. He was allegedly vaping in the bathroom. No one was threatened by the young man. The only dangerous, violent threat in Keene High School that day was Keene Police’s Joshua English. Who is he?
Don’t expect the mainstream media to do a modicum of digging about English. Otherwise you might have already discovered English shot a man to death in Keene back in 2010. Free Keene blogger and former police officer Brad Jardis covered the story here when English was found to be within the state’s use-of-force guidelines in the shooting incident. In that case, the man who was shot by English was holding a knife to a woman’s throat, so our blogger Jardis agreed with the shooting as necessary. However, is it really the best decision to assign one of the only officers at KPD who has violently taken another human being’s life the duty of being the high school’s cop?
Joshua English and Police Dog “Patriot”
Also, if my memory is correct, English was formerly in the military. I was unable to verify this, however. KPD’s officer Steven Tenney could not recall whether English was former military when I spoke with Tenney by phone this afternoon. UPDATE Nov 8th – A KHS student asked English and he confirmed he was in the Marines for six years.
English isn’t the real problem, of course. Unless he’s actually a psychopath, English probably wanted to help stop bad guys and real violent criminals when he signed up to join the police. Then he got assigned as vape patrol at the high school and is now “just doing his job”. His job is the problem. Nicotine addiction is a difficult thing, but like any drug addiction, it’s a personal struggle for the individual to overcome. Using the state’s violence isn’t helping end addiction – the state makes everything worse. Despite the failure of alcohol prohibition, cannabis, and other ongoing drug prohibitions, people still have not learned their lesson. Prohibition does not work. It never has, and never will. It doesn’t matter how many peaceful vapers are attacked physically by cops, or how many street cigarette dealers are choked to death, nicotine use will continue and police will continue to whittle away their once-positive image by their ridiculous violent enforcement.
English, Russo, and the rest of KPD should grow a conscience and realize that it’s wrong to threaten and harm their peaceful neighbors over their choice of chemicals or any other peaceful, consensual act. There’s even an organization of police and former law enforcers who have come to their senses and are actually sorry for what they’ve done. I recommend any officer who really cares about right and wrong look into Law Enforcement Action Partnership aka LEAP. They used to be called Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and I’ve written a lot about their good work in New Hampshire over the years. LEAP rebranded when they expanded their issues to include other sensible reforms to policing, like being anti-militarization.
Feeling safe yet?
Is a violent takedown of a vape-using young person what the prohibitionists imagined would happen when they passed their precious ordinance last year? Those of us who understand the consequences of prohibition saw this coming. Stop the madness and leave peaceful drug users alone.
The student victim in this case has been identified to me and I’ll be reaching out directly to him for comment. Stay tuned here to Free Keene for any updates.
There was no justification to tackle this young man and the Free Keene story makes it sound like there was some justification even if weak. That isn’t actually true. It isn’t clear that there was even evidence against him of smoking as no devices or contraband were found. The idea that a 15-year old student might be an intruder is absolutely batshit insane and clearly a made up excuse to make it sound like there was justification for assaulting this student. Considering that he was in a place for 15-year olds the idea that you can pull out any student… Read more »
What part made you think I was suggesting this attack was somehow justified, KK? I’ve reviewed it and I am not clear on what you’re alleging.
OMG folks! There is so much stuff going on in our schools that the public isn’t even aware of. It’s about time someone showed them who the boss was. NOT THEM!!!! The students starting from elementary age have no respect for adults. They are cocky and wise ass little shits. Their behaviors are unacceptable to adults. Nobody from the public was at the school to hear or see what happened from the beginning of this incident. Therefore we can’t pass judgment on Mr.English. How dare you bring up an episode from the past. That doesn’t define the type of person… Read more »
The military will entice teen age cannon fodder dupes to sign up, and train them to obediently kill people on command if the other people happen to hail from a different plantation and wear different colored costumes. The militaristic overlords of the “City of Keene” won’t allow a person under 21 to make a choice about what they consume, “because it’s bad for you”. Then the “City of Keene” hires a mercenary killer cop to guard the government school, “protect students”, and he beats one. People are forced to fund all of this…forced to fund “protection” or they will be… Read more »
Yall suck at life. Kids get shot from a mass shooter in a school….” how terrible we have to do more to protect our kids” Unidentified person in a school is asked for his identity and chooses not to give it and walk past an officer of the law( NOW HAS BECOME A THREAT )…….. “Oh poor kid was brutalized because he was tackled and put in hand cuffs” WTF is wrong with you paint chewing inbreads who think their kids should act this way to an officer. Quite simple, raise your kids to respect EVERYONE around them and not… Read more »
You people that write these articles sound like a bunch of whiners. Get the hell out of Keene. Bunch of bitches. People like you are the problem. Always had a problem with any kind of authority but god forbid you ever need these services they will come help you no matter how big of a bitch you are. Get a real job. All of you.
I’m glad he tackled the guy. He easily could have tackled innocent people like arsonists and murderers. (I didnt know that vaping was that big of a criminal issue).
Another one side officer slam piece. You have no clue as to what was really going on. A 19 second video does not tell the whole story. So, in Ian’s typical fashion, he adds his made up statements to try and sensationalize the story. The officer defended himself in a stand off 9 years ago. The Monday morning quarterback police officers who are usually uneducated in the story will spout their 2 cents worth which is usually 100% garbage. Why would he use a taser against a guy holding a knife to his girlfriends throat. It was open and shut.… Read more »
Well. Idk how old English is….but… Ok…we didn’t see what happened previous to what shows on The video… Here’s one fact: if a copper aka subject English in this video…tells subject B aka the Highschool kid : “you are under arrest”.. [which may have happened before video start] …then subject B (the Highschool kid) proceeds to elude arrest…then said offer may take measures to secure said arrest, including it not limited to, a jujitsu style takedown Officer English has been ok imo (being a Keene person)…. I do appreciate the FK eye and scrutiny on these matters…and having the video…good… Read more »
Now if it was that crooked motherfucker Tenney…that kpd cop should be in jail
The kid could have told him his name…I think that’s the legal requirements..
Not plastic ID…though in a. HS it probably ups ID requirements… If you don’t id your self, just verbally, ….maybe that’s what precipitated the snowballing of this
Some might say “saved a women” who was being held at knife point…that’s a view too
Now, now Jacks, we all saw Officer English being caught on video tackling a kid. One who by the way was no obvious threat to himself or others. That’s on Officer English, dear. Not on Ian, and certainly not on the kid who was assaulted. Do you know the reason why, Jacks? It’s because to people with sound judgment, vaping in a bathroom and walking out the door hardly qualifies as grounds for being thrown to the floor and handcuffed. I wonder why you’re unwilling to file that sort of nonsense under the category of unacceptable behavior? Do you think… Read more »
Christopher, dear. We all understand that you derive pleasure in watching the City of Keene’s heavies compelling obedience on a recalcitrant child. But shouldn’t that sort of force be reserved for actual criminals, instead? Vaping in the bathroom is a disciplinary issue. One for parents and school authorities to handle. Not police.
You tell ’em, Bestat! These guys need to follow ABC’s example and start burying stories that embarrass Keene’s authorities!
When they said “resource officer” on the news , i was thinking rent a cop aka security guard…I didnt know they had real cops at schools…that i would challenge
i dont even think we had a security guard at my high school….home schooling is a thing….if one can
Shark: People in the US have become less violent as the result of environmental factors unrelated to police action. Changes in reporting over the past 30 years have been the result of financial benefit for which has provided us a warped view of the situation. Our schools are actually safer than they have ever been, but not because of the police. It’s actually the reverse which is true. The police have made our schools more dangerous by introducing people who are trained in handling real threats for which isn’t your typical scenario in most schools involving unruly youngsters. Outside of… Read more »
“Quite simple, raise your kids to respect EVERYONE around them and not do stupid stuff in school that they arent supposed to.” You are a dumb mf. There is no evidence the kid did anything wrong. There was no evidence of any crime. It was a bully with a badge who has a history of using excess force and lies to squash people who don’t agree with him. Respect should be earned, not taught. Teaching kids to respect somebody is sending a really bad message. Should your kid respect Adolf Hitler or Joseph Stalin or Trump just because they were… Read more »
Bestat: “Bunch of bitches”… You are an idiot. In Mass they are passing a law that would have law enforcement arrest jail people for using that word, bitches. And do you know who is going to end up in a jail cell next week? It’s you. No. We should not respect law enforcement or the law when law enforcement has done wrong and/or the law is wrong. I don’t support them kidnapping you and throwing you in a cage all because you used a word they or some don’t like. It may not be a word I’ll use. But I… Read more »
“The kid could have told him his name…I think that’s the legal requirements..”
You have no obligation to ID yourself to a police officer in NH. The police can make an arrest for identification purposes, but there won’t be a charge associated with that arrest. Sadly police will charge people with non-existent crimes because they HATE people refusing to ID. They feel they have the right to bully people into supplying ID that those same people have NO obligation to provide in the first place.
he was in a school…like we all know…i think that changes id requirements..like i said…but you cherry picked
so kk is arguing for not iding yourself and getting arrested…so youll wind up like this kid…because you wouldnt say your name…i guess if that’s the battle you want…
Maybe be more savvy and more tact than this fellow lol
but ok thats not the legal requirement in nh…
Refusing to ID to a cop is different than refusing to ID to a school official. These are two different things. The reason to refuse is its nobody elses business and they are demanding you testify against yourself. Your are supposed to be protected from self incrimination. There are good reasons that this is a constitutional protection.
He may have broken a rule about ID in school, but that is not a crime. But you have to remember that any act of a public official is immoral because its the use if violence to achieve your objective. A voluntary system would not have these problems.
None of you know the actual story in this. So you all should just shut up. Officer English has done more good things in our school in the past 4 months than our last Sro did in 2 years. Officer English is a good man and none of you even know the situation. This isn’t the kids first time getting caught and getting in trouble with the police. It’s a constant thing. Happens at least once a month that he gets in trouble with the police. The kid swung on officer English in the bathroom and then tried to run… Read more »
Hi Taylor. Would you care to contribute something that confirms your story? A single character reference really doesn’t mean much in the court of public opinion, you know.
Taylor: “Officer English has done more good things in our school in the past 4 months than our last Sro did in 2 years.” Yes, no doubt he was a good man just like Adolf Hitler was a good man. He was much better than Joseph Stalin. Joseph Stalin killed far more far more people. “This isn’t the kids first time getting caught and getting in trouble with the police. ” Yes- nobody is questioning that this kid is a trouble maker. He may be a horrible person. It’s however irrelevant. What the kid did last week doesn’t necessitate that… Read more »
This is the same cop that years ago inappropriately took an ar15 to a minor one punch fist fight and preceded to point the weapon at a man violating basic gun safety protocols. You don’t point a gun at someone unless you intend to shoot them.
Welp. I live in Keene…officer English seems ok ok to me…As u saw wen I referenced Tenney..if a cop sucks I’ll say it with my name attached, in Keene…That’s it ..lol..I been here for over 20 years old so…what’s his face should chime in…he know all of the kpd… centurion
Thank for commenting Taylor, obviously, the student’s in the school’s POV is one of the most important povs
kk – How do you know the officer violated protocols by bringing his service rifle to a call. You don’t know what kind of scene call he was going to. You are not a police officer, you were not anywhere near the scene so you don’t know. Show me the PD’s protocols that backs up your statements.
JJ: It doesn’t matter what the protocols are. You DO NOT POINT A GUN AT SOMEONE YOU DO NOT INTEND TO SHOOT. It’s basic 101 gun safety stuff jacks. Jesus christ. I know next to nothing about guns and even I know that. I never claimed to be a police officer either. I do know what happened at the scene I described whether or not I was there doesn’t matter in this context. Show me that this kid had something illegal??? You can’t. Because there isn’t any evidence of it. Just a liar to testify to something that is so… Read more »
kk The officer was confronted with a hostage and knife. If he had a shot, and got the OK, he would shoot. We are dealing with a hostage situation. You obviously do not have a grasp police protocols. He continues to be on the police force and has a job. The rest of your ramblings fall on death ears. Calling me names does not endear you to anyone. I would suggest you wait until all the information is out before making uneducated guesses.
JJ: You know fully well that I was NOT talking about the guy he killed. I was referencing the man this officer pointed a AR15 at. NOT the person he killed dumb ass. When someone is as much of a dumb shit as you and continues to insist on misleading and lying it’s only appropriate that others call you out as such. Your so arrogant as to not recognize EVERYBODY who posts here regularly thinks your a dumb ass. It’s not like there are people coming out and defending you. No. Not a single person. You led this name calling…… Read more »
kk – Again your statements from yesterday to today show so much inconsistency. I truly believe you were under the influence of what ever it was you took last night and your shameful behaviors today that clearly reflects deep emotional trauma you have never dealt with in a healthy way. You need to understand that this article was written by Ian. The guy who chooses to make up 90% of this BS. I looked back in the media archives about English carrying an AR-15 at some unknown street fight that may or may not have ever happened. There is no… Read more »
Sorry, My bad in a statement I made. freekeeners say “If it wasn’t caught on camera it never happened “.
Actually Jacks, camera recordings are a necessity when dealing with the City of Keene’s minions. Do you know why? Because they’ve played an instrumental role in exposing the liars amongst them. That ugly little detail leaves a very bad taste in your mouth, doesn’t it pookums?
Hey kk. Any thoughts on who that therapist Jacks is talking about might be? I’ll bet it’s one of those guys on A&E’s “Intervention.” That’s his favorite show, you know.
JJ: You know very well that I’m not into using drugs or drinking. Talk about childish name calling. ” The guy who chooses to make up 90% of this BS.” Ian isn’t making this shit up Jacks. There are videos, quotes from actual people, and so on backing up what he’s writing and unlike most reporters it’s actually what people said and not taken out of context. “I looked back in the media archives about English carrying an AR-15 at some unknown street fight that may or may not have ever happened.” It did happen and just because it happened… Read more »
kk – Yes, Ian does have a creative mind and likes to fill in the holes of his articles with conjecture. “It did happen and just because it happened doesn’t mean that a story was written about it. I have no idea if anybody wrote something up about that incident. It makes no difference. However co-hosts of FTL DID witness this incident and talked about it on the show”. Really? What show? Who said it? I believe you are grasping at straws. “OK- so let me get this straight. We’re suppose to take the officers word even though it is… Read more »
Sorry Jacks, but an injustice doesn’t magically become justifiable just because a number of people say so. That’s not how principles work. Let’s be clear here. Officer English was caught on video assaulting that kid.
If you or I did something like this, there would be no question as to who was in the wrong – and what the consequences should be. You understand the notion of consequences, now don’t you pookums? You used to talk about them all the time, remember?
“Really? What show? Who said it? I believe you are grasping at straws.” Listen to the past weeks worth of FTL and you’ll find out. I’m not catering to your bind blowing retardness. You want proof, go find it. But the reality is it won’t matter. The guy was FILMED assaulting a student where there is ZERO evidence that the kid did anything wrong beyond the officers word DESPITE the fact it’s bat shit insane. “Who is us?” Whoever it is your talking too dumb ass. “Show me where the officer was even interviewed regarding this article. His superiors made… Read more »
kk – “Really? What show? Who said it? I believe you are grasping at straws.” “Listen to the past weeks worth of FTL and you’ll find out. I’m not catering to your bind blowing retardness. You want proof, go find it. But the reality is it won’t matter. The guy was FILMED assaulting a student where there is ZERO evidence that the kid did anything wrong beyond the officers word DESPITE the fact it’s bat shit insane”. It was only a 19 second video. It doesn’t show what happened before the incident. Again, your childish name calling fails to make… Read more »
So idk what a resource officer does..what resource is he resourcing?
Jacks: I can only hope you die in the next mass shooting. I don’t generally wish for other peoples death. But it would be a net benefit for society. It would be no worse than putting down a dog. Despite responding to you with answers you ignore the answers claiming I didn’t respond. In reality your bias and inability to read are at fault. I’m not going to hold your hand. I’m not your mommy. I told you where you can find the quotes. Now it’s up to you to find the audio if you are so concerned. I’m not… Read more »
What is the resource of the resource officer! No one seems to no!…Can’t we get the fundamentals of what we’re talking aboot here? IM CANADIAN!
kk – Wow. Hoping someone would die in the next mass shooting especially when you really don’t know that person is quite disturbing. You are stating your world would be better off with me dead. Who gives you that power? Very sad indeed. I’ve been threatened on this website in the past. It would appear those who are on the fringes of freekeene really enjoy wishing violence on people who have a different opinion then their own. What is interesting is freekeene always promotes peace and respect. I guess those who consider themselves part of a “peaceful” movement obviously doe… Read more »
Maybe KK named himself that bc ..K come after J and .. They say JJ …so he wanted to be KK… SEE!