The Richmond Register
RICHMOND, Ky. (AP) -- A preliminary report has found police officers did not use excessive force during the arrest of seven blacks after an altercation outside a nightclub, the Richmond Police Department said.
Three white officers were responding to a domestic dispute call near Magic Moments, a black-owned club, when the disturbance happened. Police used pepper spray on several in the crowd, which was estimated at 50 to 175 people.
About a dozen witnesses have filed complaints of racial profiling with the Richmond Human Rights Commission, which is also investigating the May 30 incident.
At least 11 officers were interviewed by Maj. Bob Tudor during the internal probe, but most of the bystanders were not, according to the report.
Charges against the seven arrested include public intoxication, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, terroristic threatening, carrying a concealed deadly weapon and marijuana possession.
“Everyone that agreed to have an interview with me, I’ve spoken with them,” Tudor said.
But Shauna Estell, a witness who filed a complaint, said Tudor didn’t call her back after she agreed to an interview in an initial conversation. And Sheree Campbell, whose son was arrested and who filed the first complaint, said she was never contacted for an interview.
The report, released Tuesday, will go to Madison County Commonwealth’s Attorney Thomas Smith, who plans to call a special prosecutor to determine whether to present the case to a grand jury.
Meanwhile, police chief Robert Stephens, who was appointed in January, said the department is rewriting its excessive force policy to include more details.
“We’re trying to show that we want to treat everyone alike,” Stephens said. “Both our white and our black officers have to treat everyone alike, and that’s what we’re trying to work on.”
Aaron Thompson, vice president for academic affairs at Eastern Kentucky University, has been hired as a consultant to improve police-community relations. Regular protests organized by Campbell have been held since June.