Chief responds to video of DPD manhandling customer at gas station
(WJBK) - On Wednesday night, FOX 2 showed a phone video that recorded two of Detroit's finest at less than their best.
Numerous viewers contacted the station over the last 24 hours concerned that police used excessive force, while others are concerned that police are facing excessive scrutiny.
On Thursday Detroit Police Chief James Craig met with reporters to address the controversy. Craig didn't say when police would release that security camera video,
But if he's waiting for the prosecutor to make a decision on the matter, it could take some time. That's because prosecutors conduct their own investigation before deciding whether to bring charges in cases involving possible police misconduct.
MORE: Men manhandled by Detroit cops, use of force questioned - VIDEO
Chief James Craig says Detroit police enjoy a strong relationship with residents but addressed the encounter between officers and citizens that has even police brass concerned.
"When you see that it appears the suspect was not offering any resistance and the officer initiated the contact, but when you look at the store video there is certainly more activity leading up to that," Craig said.
The chief says security camera video provides more context to the incident, but he declined to give details.
ELRICK: "Can you show us that video?"
"Because this is pending, we would rather wait," Craig said. "We will certainly make it available at the appropriate time. But because there is a pending criminal investigation, we will wait and then certainly let you see it."
Elrick started asking police about the incident last week but Chief Craig says the officers' commander took action back in June.
"Since the commander determined that he found some concerns," Craig said. "At that point he notified Cmdr. Bliss at Professional Standards Section."
The chief wouldn't say whether he thinks his officers broke the law, but he didn't like what he saw.
Officer Richard Billingslea, who threw citizen Mike Jackson to the ground, has been on desk duty since mid-June. Craig says police have asked Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy to determine if a crime was committed.
"She'll conduct an independent review of it," Craig said. "And following that review, she will make a decision whether or not there was criminality on the part of the suspect, or on the part of the police officer and if there is no criminality then we will address it from the administrative end."