(January 1, 2024) Williamsport, Pennsylvania - Cop put on leave after video shows him using the N-word
A Williamsport police officer has been placed on administrative leave after using the “N” word during a confrontation with a man early Sunday morning that a witness recorded with his phone.
What Officer Brandon Wheeler said was totally inappropriate, said Mayor Derek Slaughter, the city’s first Black mayor.
Police Chief Justin Snyder called the use of the word “unfortunate” and said there will be an internal investigation into the incident. Two videos showing the interaction were posted on Facebook.
“No question, it was a critically inappropriate word to use,” new Lycoming County District Attorney Thomas A. Marino said.
He said he recognizes it can get frustrating on the street but said police must make sure they have control of themselves at all times. “We (in law enforcement) are held to a higher standard,” Marino said.
This case indicates a need for sensitivity training or re-training, Marino said.
The incident occurred at West Third and William streets outside a downtown nightspot in the Lycoming County city.
It’s unclear what happened to prompt the video recording, but it starts with a man off camera asking Wheeler for his badge number. Wheeler calmly responded “731,” and gave his last name “Wheeler” when asked. But he would not give his first name.
“Wheeler what?” the off-camera man asked before pushing again for the officer’s first name and ending the question with the N-word.
Wheeler, who is white, shouted “No!” and repeated the N-word in his response. Then the video gets shaky. It appears as if Wheeler is struggling with the man off-camera. The 16-second video then ended.
In a second video, Officer Addison Gingrich is asked by a man off camera for the reason for the first man’s arrest, and his answer was disorderly conduct.
“Disorderly conduct for what?” asked the second man.
Gingrich then loudly told the questioner: “Get out of the road or you will be arrested.”
The second man asked Gingrich repeatedly whether Wheeler said the N-word: “Yes or no?”
Gingrich replied four times: “Would you like to be put in handcuffs?”
Gingrich provided his badge number upon request but refused to give his name, saying he did not have to.
Wheeler, as he was about to get into a cruiser to leave, was asked why the person was arrested. His response was disorderly conduct with the explanation “screaming in the street” followed by “you’re next.”
The questioner persisted asking several times if Wheeler used the N-word, “right or wrong?” Wheeler pointed to his body camera and said the person was welcome to see it.
As Wheeler drove off, the individual is heard saying: “He knew he said it. That’s why he didn’t want to answer.”
When asked about Gingrich refusing to give his name, police Chief Snyder said: “There is no reason not to identify ourselves.”
Full Article:
https://pennlive.com/news/2023/12/pa-cop-put-on-leave-after-video-shows-him-using-the-n-word.html
