Council President Brenda Jones responds to Elrick shove caught on camera

Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones has released a statement following an incident caught on camera between officers and FOX 2 investigative reporter M.L. Elrick.

Elrick also spoke with Jones at City Hall Wednesday afternoon, when Jones released her statement to him. The statement says Elrick provoked the altercation by "forcing" an interview with Cushingberry, yet no one was concerned when Elrick attempted to speak with Jones as well as other council members at Tuesday night's meeting.

Elrick asked Jones if she is concerned about Council's image, to which she replied: "You came to Council meeting last night with an intention to talk to President Pro Tem. President Pro Tem was trying to do his job. Here's my statement."

As she begins walking away, Elrick says, "Ma'am, President, I tried to speak to you as well and there was no incident there. What's the difference?"

She did not respond.

Police are still interviewing witnesses of the incident. Detroit Police Chief James Craig says the sergeant involved has been removed from his post running City Council's security team.

BELOW IS THE STATEMENT FROM JONES:

STATEMENT ON THE INCIDENT AT LAST NIGHT'S DETRIOT CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY MEETING

During last night's Detroit City Council Community Meeting, there was an incident involving Fox2Detroit reporter M.L. Elrick and council's executive protection unit. The exchange occurred while the unit was escorting President Pro-tem George Cushingberry to his seat after a late arrival. The reporter, while attempting to force an interview, blocked Councilman Cushingberry's path and the unit responded by enforcing a protective space allowing the councilman to proceed to his seat.

Due to the nature of the reporter's behavior, Sgt. Robert Mitchell, head of the unit, contacted his superiors and filed an incident report. DPD investigators were sent to the scene to gather evidence and interview witnesses. The reporter departed prior to their arrival. Councilmembers were informed during the meeting and later escorted to their vehicles without further incident.

The council appreciates the service of the trained professionals on the Executive Protection Unit who protect them everyday. The incident is under investigation.