Kenosha Police Officer Pablo “Paul” Torres has one of the department’s longest personnel files. His file was obtained by KCE about 6 or 7 years ago and there may be more since. He has been accused of excessive force dozens of times and mostly exonerated for the complaints. He has universally been classified as a hot-head, bad-tempered, and quick-to-go-hands-on. He has killed a man, and attempted to kill a suicidal man, both close in time to one another.
A Kenosha woman posted a video last night of an interaction she had of Torres from August 7, 2023. The video shows Torres walking down the stairs of an apartment building thanking a witness for his cooperation. The woman asked Torres for his names, and before she finishes the question, he says “T….O….R….R…E….S.” She seemed to not understand his answer and asks again. “T….O….R….R…E….S” he says again. “Can I ask for your badge number?” the woman asks next. Torres tells the woman that if she doesn’t get out of his way, he would arrest her, about three seconds later, he tells the woman that she is under arrest. He then puts his hands on the woman and a struggle seemingly begins.
The video then cuts out. According to the woman’s Facebook commentary that she posted with the video:
“On August 7th, 2023 I was placed in a choked hold, slammed against a wall, giving me a concussion, and wrongfully arrested by a Kenosha Police Detective.
On that Monday, I woke up and went to sit on my porch. Out of nowhere, a single police officer approached me, asking me if I had been there the night before as there had been a robbery across the street. I answered him that I had not been home nor heard of anything. He walks past me to ring my neighbor’s doorbells when he notices I had left the front door to my apartment building propped open, and so he lets himself in. I walk behind him and told him that I think he needs a key to be in here, to which he abruptly responds that he does not and that my apartment building was public property. Feeling scared for letting him into my building, I started recording him from down the bottom of the stairs as he spoke to my neighbor. As he walked down, I stood up and moved away from the stairs, visibly recording him with my phone. I asked for his name and badge number. He spelled out his last name, but when I asked for his badge number he responded by saying that “I do not get to stand in his way” and that “if I don’t move out of his way he would arrest me”. I asked once more and he quickly grabbed my hands and arrested me.
This officer used deadly force by putting me in a chokehold, slamming me against the wall giving me a concussion, and forcefully arresting me. The entire arrest happened in less than thirty seconds. My neighbor, who had spoken with this officer less than a minute before, comes down and sees me in a chokehold by this officer and yells at him to let me go. So the officer arrests him too.
We sit on the curb waiting for backup to arrive, as the officer who arrested us was there by himself. They take us both in the same squad car to the building, and my neighbor immediately notices they take us in through a different door than normal. They take us into their main office area and lead us both to separate interrogation cells. It felt wrong and surreal to see their work cubicles, the pictures of their family and personal belongings. I knew what they were doing to us was not normal procedure. I wait in this interrogation cell, a small brick room with nothing in it but a small metal bench, a security camera, and etchings on the metal door. The officer who arrested me eventually brings me into an interrogation room where I am read my rights and asked to sign a paper. I answer a few questions then ask to speak with an attorney. They bring me back to the interrogation cell where I wait for hours to be released. I’m finally told I will be let go, but that they have to keep my phone for “evidence”. But if I sign a piece of paper and give them my passcode to send himself the video, I can go home with it that day. Needing my phone for work and personal safety, I sign the paper and give him my passcode. He comes back to the cell to show me that he sent himself the video without me present. Before they let me go, they take me in a squad car around the building to the sallyport to take me into the jail for pictures and fingerprints. But upon arrival, the officer is told that if I wasn’t a “DV” case, that I’d need to have my pictures taken elsewhere. So they bring me back to the same building to take my mugshot and fingerprints. They ask me to verify my name, birthdate, and where I was born. Thinking it was routine, I answer it all truthfully. I’m finally released and driven home by my dear neighbors, who saw the whole situation and waited for me outside the station. If you’re reading this, thank you both so much from the bottom of my heart. You are my family.
I finally get back to my apartment hours later and run upstairs to see if my neighbor had also been released. I see his door slightly ajar and hear commotion inside so I start recording asking who was in there. A different detective answers, saying it was KPD and that they did not know when my neighbor would be released. I wait outside his door to shortly after see two officers walk out with my neighbor’s computer, hard drive, and TV in hand. I race back to the station and ask everyone there where my neighbor is and when he would be released. No one can find him in the system and am told to go to the next office over, and even up to the jail to ask if he was there. Not knowing what else to do, I go back home to tell my family what happened and wait for my neighbor. My neighbor is finally released three hours after me. He tells me of how they kept him in the single interrogation cell for hours with no pants, because the string in his pants were considered a threat. He was also refused temporary jail pants.
We wait days after to be served with the charges of “obstructing an officer” and “resisting arrest”. My neighbors calls every few days to see if he can finally pick up his items, to which he finally retrieved a week later. When he picks up his technology, an officer assures him that neither of us would be charged.
I will never forget the faces of my friends when I told them they had asked me, multiple times, where I was born. They looked me in the eyes and told me they had never been asked that themselves, that it was not a standard question to ask. It was then that I realized that the officer who arrested me had profiled me and was looking to see if he could deport me to cover up his mistakes.
KPD Detective Pablo Torres asked me where I was born, to see if he could deport me.”
KCE made contact Friday morning with Internal Affairs Lt. Leo Viola. He told us that he is aware of the incident, as the woman who shared the video to Facebook made an official complaint with the Kenosha Police Department. He said the investigation into Officer Torres is still ongoing at this time.
The woman, who is a local activist for police reform tells KCE that a Kenosha police officer has since told her that they were no longer pursuing criminal charges against her or her neighbor who came to her aid. However, KCE can confirm that a referral was made for the woman. KPD asked that she be charged with two counts of resisting/obstructing.
This is a breaking story
75 Responses
This has been a issue this officer many times, how is he still employed?
This is one of the main problems with KPD, the bad officers make the good ones look bad!
You must be up on all the details? Are you an investigator? The video was cut off, you do not know what happened
Have you had these so called peace keeper up in your face ever I HAVE AND THEY WILL NOT LET ME REPORT IT I NEED TO PUT IT IN WRITING
I have 100’s of clips look on my YouTube channel
Union protection
Look up Detective Falk KPD need an investigation the whole lot of them
Walther was nice guy wont forget him
He will eventually become the police chief. You can easily hunt down the hunters. Cops are mercenary thugs, we are from the Leave it to Beaver days of fat cops with billy clubs watching down Main Street poking at drunks and breaking up bar fights.
Also, this killer cop hero, they are all heroes, just ask a cop or a vet, all heroes, no exception, looks like charlie manson / ozzy osborne. he could be a meth addict.
Do not EVER insult OZZY.
Another piece of trash!!!! The victims should be grateful to be alive. This turd has been at it for years. And that is a fact!
Steroid Boy #2
Dude looks like a pussy.
Lol. Says the guy afraid to
Use his name
Says the guy who hides behind a badge.
The video is cut off! You have no idea what really transpired and it certainly seems like this grifter has made up a lot and you have all bought it, including Kevin! You don’t see his bodycam either. This sounds like a calculated smear campaign to ruin a man’s life and grift money off the hardworking Kenosha residents. Why don’t you all wait until the investigation concludes before you brandish this man a killer? Frankly, I am shocked at you, Kevin. You normally don’t cover gossip.
The woman seems to be a grifter and she is asking for money through CashApp and Venmo! I don’t believe a word out of her mouth!
Perhaps you didn’t see the video? And why is the officer under investigation? Hmmm
I did see it
Because the woman raised a stink about it. the video was inconclusive and cut off. Why judge before you know the facts? Sounds like you are police haters. How shameful
Where did you find her name? I didn’t see that posted in KCE.
This uninformed woman needs to learn the question of , ” where were you born” is a standard question on any arrest report in Kenosha County, whether you get arrested from KPD, KSD or PPPD. Its not for deportation purposes. Alos, where is the viseo that lead up to this?? hmm
Ok cop.
again, you need to be removed
He should spend a few days with the thugs in KCDC…. Like the last guy huh? Isn’t this the clown that’s trigger happy too? Freemasonry is something huh? Me thinks he needs a daddy program to get straighten out. Any suggestions?
Lol
Do you support the ADL and Freemasonry?
contempt before investigation?
–
This woman needs to be charged and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for obstructing an officer. He clearly told her what the consequences would be. She chose not to listen. And now she is asking for money? Give me a break!
exactly
I. agree wholeheartedly
Who sticking up for her rights? Bunch of narcistic head cases here defending this pussy.
Uses an anonymous name….. calls others a pussy. Clown
Since when can you obstruct a valid order of a police officer and get away with it? These people are the same ilk that want to defund our police and turn our streets into a war zone like so many other cities that have adopted woke policing tactics.
Since she is a sovereign being you fucking cunt.
Common law or maritime law?
do you eat with that filthy mouth?
Yes and I get my point across with it too.
She is not soverign and you need to watch your mouth–you need to be removed
Where was this officer and all the others during the Kenosha riots. I didn’t see any of them enforcing any orders, I actually watched them ignore crime.
Normally I love your articles, but this time, you have the story all wrong, Kevin. Pablo Torres is a wonderful police officer and now his hands and the hands of all other police officers are tied behind their backs because they are afraid do stop any type of crime.
This woman is looking for money and engaging in mob mentality to get rid of a fine officer who was trying to do what he was trained to do.
<> I
blocked out her donation information because she is not honest.
It is about time that Kevin wrote about the corruption and brutality that infects your department. Your wonderful co-worker has a fuse as short as teenaged boy’s chin hair. If you honestly believe that what “Detective Lightyear” did was justified, you epitomize what is wrong with your department.
Honestly, this is the same coward who shot a guy who was armed with an empty plastic bucket. Maybe if you guys would stop defending the indefensible, you would be respected.
Also, while you ponder your indignant response, just know that I retired after working 35 years as an officer in a city that was just as tough as Kenosha.
Look in the mirror and you will see why your department is so hated.
and you know this, how?
See the link to Pablo Escobars complaint file.
There can be many many complaints filed against officers, but a lot of people don’t look past how that complaint was investigated and unfounded. It still shows as a complaint against the police officer. Someone may complain about the officer doing something they actually DIDN’T do and even though it is proven that the person lied, he still has a “complaint” on file.
I don’t know about this lady or this police officer’s paste, but looking at the little bit of info given here, it appears he was wrong and she seems to have a lot of details that appears to give a indication that what she said happened. That’s all I have to go on. Until police videos are out there, it’s hard to tell.
Still waiting for the Applebees episode police cameras to be posted Kevin) ;-)…
Always record your interaction with the police!
Part of this sounds weird and part normal procedure. We need to let the investigation follow through. Sounds like she was taken to the detective bureau instead of jail which is not abnormal. That is done so they can interview people. Whether proper procedure was followed needs investigation. Asking for place of birth is a normal question and has been for decades.
Why is asking someone where they were born “normal”? I’ve never been asked that when I’ve gotten pulled over for speeding. It should’t matter where I am born. If I’m speeding then I get a ticket. If I’m not doing anything illegal or committing any kind of crime, a police officer can’t just randomly ( CONSTITUTIONALLY) ) just ask me anything he wants and tell me to do whatever he wants without cause.
People need to be respectful of police officers and police officers need to honor their oath by following the constitutional rights of its citizens in America. Know your rights, be respectful, and follow the law. Procedure, rules and ordinances do not trump your constitutional rights. OH! And stop wearing those masks! LOL! They are trying to mandate them AGAIN!
There is a difference between a speeding ticket where the driver will be released and a jail booking. POB (place of birth) has been a question/data field for decades (nationwide).
The FBI requires POB and CTZ (country of citizenship) on fingerprint cards.
Breaking story.. as in, breaking the transparent reporting reputation that this site is known for?
Since when does Kevin paste some random person’s rant from Facebook as information sufficient enough to base a news story on? Little too early on this one.
They’re hauling out all of dude’s electronics and she’s not the least bit concerned by that? I don’t know of anyone who’s randomly had all that stuff taken by the cops before. Probably a legit operation taking place and she decides to post up in front of him refusing to move while the investigation is underway. This is what happens when someone isn’t disciplined properly by their parents.
I also didn’t know seeing cubicles and being asked where you were born was so traumatic. Give me a break.
What a convenience- to have an entire family to consult with to compare arrest stories and the questions you were asked when you were booked. True bonding.
Good site but this one’s gossip news this time…
How is this guy still employed?
THIS COP HAS HAD LITTLE MAN COMPLEX SINCE HIGH SCHOOL ,
YES THAT RIGHT , HE IS NOT A GOOD COP , YOU SHOULD NOT GET THROWN TO THE GROUND AND INJURED BECAUSE YOU WHERE IN HIS WAY , LOOK AT ALL THE WRITE UPS ON THIS GUY , SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIRED YEARS AGO , THERE WAS ANOTHER COP JUST LIKE THIS GUY I BELIEVE HIS NAME WAS ERNAN OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT HE WAS FIRED ALSO FOR THE SAME KIND OF STUFF ,
PAUL TORRES NEEDS TO GO … AND BY THE WAY ” KEVIN ” YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK YOU ARE WHAT KENOSHA NEEDS ….
Pablo will get his when he can’t hide behind the badge and push little girls over.
Imo she should have minded her own business! The conversation Torres had with that man upstairs was clearly ok, ending politely.
If that man upstairs was in no danger by KPD then mind your business!
Sorry but she did this & recorded to start shit!
Are you implying that citizens shouldn’t have the right to ask for a badge number?
She has every right to ask the police officer his name and badge number. From what I understand, it’s police policy.
Cont…police policy to give your name and badge number to someone if they ask. It’s also police policy, from what I understand, is that if you ask for a Supervisor before you answer any questions or at any time, they are required to get one for you.
Which policy says they have to get you a supervisor? I can’t find it.
They’re listed here: https://www.kenosha.org/departments/police/administration/policy-and-procedure
If you read the statement, you will see that the building is a secured locked building he came in with her so i believe she has every right to question the officer for legal entry to the building. The officer basically tells her to smoke a pole, so she asked for badge number well within her rights. People have rights ! bottom line ,
Torres is a tiny tiny tiny short short short tiny little pu$$y.
He has been framing and shooting Kenosha citizens for years out for the many times he was hung by his underwear from locker hooks in junior high and highschool.
He literally gave her less than 10 seconds to comply, and then threw her down. Something is rotten in Denmark
Looked like less than 2 seconds to me
I was being generous. Who can move as fast as he demanded
Police officers do not know the laws for nothing just because they have a badge they can do whatever they want. I do not like the police at all. They don’t know nothing for all I know Kenosha is a racist town.
It’s the few police that give the others a bad rap. Just like anything else, we hear about the bad more than the good they do.
Two things…first the video…it shows what it shows, but a reasonable person needs to ask what happened before the video occurred. Sounds like the officer was having a good conversation and as he came downstairs the lady did her thing….not saying the officer (oh, he is a detective) was right, but there is more to the story than the video shows. Second, in reading the ramblings, a lot of things did not add up. Suspects, witnesses and reporting people are sometimes brought to the detective bureau for questioning, Not uncommon. The records department can take photos and fingerprints if the person is not a threat and it falls under other criteria.
It’s apparent to me that many of the writers here have had their feathers ruffled by this officer (detective) or just have a hatred of KPD.
If something is wrong, be the person who does what is right, make a complaint and follow the channels and protocols. Obviously, moaning here doesn’t make a diff!
Isn’t it funny when the left and their activist see a video that fits their agenda it’s facts and don’t matter if the video is cut off. Yet they will see a body cam of a guy running with a gun and cry and say it’s altered or fixed? Hypocrites
Nice picture. Pablo you look crazy.
I’m sure your profession is a good one. I mean you use anonymous as a name. So fast food?
This does not constitute obstruction of a police officer.
946.41 Resisting or obstructing officer.
(1) Except as provided in subs. (2m) and (2r), whoever knowingly resists or obstructs an officer while such officer is doing any act in an official capacity and with lawful authority is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(2) In this section:
(a) “Obstructs” includes without limitation knowingly giving false information to the officer or knowingly placing physical evidence with intent to mislead the officer in the performance of his or her duty including the service of any summons or civil process.
(b) “Officer” means a peace officer or other public officer or public employee having the authority by virtue of the officer’s or employee’s office or employment to take another into custody.
(c) “Soft tissue injury” means an injury that requires medical attention to a tissue that connects, supports, or surrounds other structures and organs of the body and includes tendons, ligaments, fascia, skin, fibrous tissues, fat, synovial membranes, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels.
(2m) Whoever violates sub. (1) under all of the following circumstances is guilty of a Class H felony:
(a) The violator gives false information or places physical evidence with intent to mislead an officer.
(b) At a criminal trial, the trier of fact considers the false information or physical evidence.
(c) The trial results in the conviction of an innocent person.
(2r) Whoever violates sub. (1) and causes substantial bodily harm or a soft tissue injury to an officer is guilty of a Class H felony.
(2t) Whoever violates sub. (1) and causes great bodily harm to an officer is guilty of a Class G felony.
(3) Whoever by violating this section hinders, delays or prevents an officer from properly serving or executing any summons or civil process, is civilly liable to the person injured for any actual loss caused thereby and to the officer or the officer’s superior for any damages adjudged against either of them by reason thereof.
There was no crime but yet they kept her phone for evidence. Why??? KPD get your cops to understand procedure. She should sue KPD and the detective Unreal.
Nice hair style Pablo for your official portrait. Don’t you have to wear a ponytail if your hair touches your shoulders? Or is KPD sexist as an organization and only makes woman officers put their hair up?
He was an undercover officer for many years. He had the long hair so he didnt look like a cop.
Aww hay-oh naw! Dat foo look like Screech from Save By Da Bay-oh!
Officer Torres is kind God loving man. He is a pillar of the Kenosha community and has put his life on the line many many times to protect this city. People are mad because he doesn’t put up with any bullshit from people who think they have the right to obstruct police. Walk a mile in a cops shoes and see how you do. They are people just like everyone else. Funny how the people in this story know about what intake door is used and what questions are normally asked during an interview.. Sounds like career shit heads to me. Thank you Officer Torres for protecting us. ?
If you are stopped by this officer, refuse to comply and ask for his supervisor, and state clearly that YOU DO NOT TRUST HIM due to his past interactions and want a supervisor there. Call 911 if he refuses.
Treat him like a rabbid animal and only interact with him in the presence of witnesses. Enough people call the cops on him every time they have an interaction with him, they’re going to can him because the supervisor doesn’t have time to keep cleaning up this asshole’s messes.