News-Record.com

Tuesday afternoon, city council got an in-depth explanation of a citizen-shot video of a couple of police officers taking down an armed man at Smith Homes.

There has been some debate online and in the community about whether the police officers acted appropriately (the department says they did.) Council, at the request of Councilwoman Mary Rakestraw, got a full review of the incident from police Capt. Anita Holder.

She played the police radio calls, showed a video of proper police procedure and explained that the officers were dealing with a life or death situation.

Some council members said the officers had no choice but to respond the way they did, since the suspect did not cooperate. But others questioned certain actions by the officers, including Councilwoman Mary Rakestaw, who asked why the officer didn't use a nightstick.

Rakestraw's question sparked a tiff between her and Councilwoman Goldie Wells, who Rakestraw accused of laughing at her.

"This is pathetic, Yvonne," Rakestaw said to the mayor, exasperated. (Captured on video by Fox 8.)

Ultimately, Holder said it was difficult to second guess the officer's decision in that moment. And council, as a body, didn't make any group pronouncements or conclusions about the video.

But the exchange between Rakestraw and Wells continued after the meeting. The women had a heated discussion that lasted after most of the city staff and council members left the conference room.

Later, Rakestraw said the women agreed to sit down over a cup of coffee and try to find a way to respect each other, despite their disagreements.