By Police1 Staff
PRINCETON, N.J. — Dash cam video was released in the arrest of a Princeton professor who claimed race was the reason for her treatment by officers, New York Daily News reported.
African-American Studies Professor Imani Perry posted to social media after the Feb. 6 incident and claimed she was treated poorly by officers due to her race. The post drew heavy attention on social media, where commenters were split on whether to support or condemn the officers involved.
The dash cam shows some inconsistencies in Perry’s story.
Officers stopped Perry as she drove 67 miles per hour in a 45 m.p.h. zone. Perry claimed in a Facebook post police treated her “inappropriately and disproportionately.”.
“The fact of my blackness is not incidental to this matter,” Perry wrote.
The video shows a civil exchange between the officers and Perry, who informed her she had to be handcuffed for her arrest, per protocol.
“I have to tell you that any time we transport anyone, because you’re under arrest, because of the warrant we have to put you in handcuffs, OK? That’s anyone...” the male officer said.
Perry also claimed she was denied a phone call, but the officer can be heard telling her she will be able to “make as many calls and texts” as she wants once they get to the station.
The officer explained the situation to Perry and let her know she could pay the $130 fine and be on her way. He also said, “it’s just a parking offense, nobody else has to know about it.”
Perry’s post received widespread attention, prompting the university to issue a response.
Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber said he shared the police chief’s concerns in a statement.
“The town officials responded rapidly and initiated an investigation that they have assured us will be thorough and fair. We welcome an investigation not only of the treatment of Professor Perry, but of the underlying policies, practices, and protocols that were applied,” he wrote.