Gov't officials worried about video of police tasering NBA player going public
In today’s hyper-politically charged world, one of the biggest points of contention among people has been the topic of criminal justice reform, be it incarceration rates or police brutality.
One of the more interesting developments in recent years has been the intersection of the aforementioned politics and professional sports.
That intersection of sports and politics seems like it’s headed for another flash point with the recent developments in Milwaukee.
In late January, local police officers used a stun gun and arrested Milwaukee Bucks rookie Sterling Brown over a parking infraction. The incident took place around 2 a.m. local time at a Walmart parking lot, where Brown was allegedly double-parked across two handicap spaces. Media reports at the time said it was unclear what caused the incident to escalate.
Brown, 22, was given just a parking violation after an internal investigation viewed the body cam footage.
On Monday, Milwaukee Mayor Mayor Tom Barrett revealed that he had seen the body cam video of the incident and said he was concerned about public backlash stemming from the video. The video in question is set to be released to the public on Wednesday.
“I’m going to let the release of that speak for itself, but yes, I definitely have concerns after watching that video,” Barrett, a Democrat, told reporters, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Police Chief Alfonso Morales reportedly had a similar reaction to the arrest video.
“This could be bad,” a source who had seen the video told the Journal Sentinel. “The player doesn’t appear to be provocative at all.”
“He isn’t combative, isn’t threatening,” another source said. “Very bad.”
“There’s going to be a video that’s going to come out soon, in the next couple of weeks, involving the department,” Assistant Police Chief Michael Brunson Sr. said per WITI-TV. “And I’m going to be honest with you, we’re going to need your support during the challenges.”
The officers involved in the incident are reportedly under internal investigation. The investigation was still open as of Monday.
It’s hard to recall government officials wringing their hands over a police body cam video that hasn’t even been released to the public.
It’s stranger yet to see said officials telling local community leaders that they would need their “support.”
In fairness, however, considering some of the recent violent protests against police brutality that took place in Ferguson, Missouri, and Baltimore, just to name two places, it makes sense that officials would try to curtail the potential chaos as best they can.
To compound matters, Brown’s attorney, Mark Thomsen, told the Journal Sentinel on Tuesday that his client plans to file a civil rights lawsuit against the Milwaukee Police Department.
The Bucks drafted Brown out of SMU with the 46th overall pick of the 2017 NBA draft. He went on to average 4.0 points and 2.6 rebounds per game this season.
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