Henderson resident Theodous Bryant accused the Henderson Police Department of “unfair” treatment during the serving of an arrest warrant.
Bryant made his remarks after being shepherded into the council by local activist Reverend C.J. Dale along with Brenda Henderson and another woman. Dale asked for and received permission for his group and himself to address the council even though the public comment portion of the meeting had passed.
During the unspecified incident, Bryant accused Officer D.A. Diogo of “swinging” on his grandmother. He later clarified that statement to mean that he was pulling on her while she was clutching a refrigerator door. He also claimed that Sgt. J.L. Proctor shoved a “stun gun” (probably a Taser) in his face and told him to “get my black ass in the car.” He said that he heard Proctor tell other officers that “he’s going to get my black ‘a'”.
Normally, Henderson Mayor Pete O’Geary or City Attorney John Zollicoffer will caution public speakers to not use the names of city employees at the beginning of presentations that bring specific allegations against city employees. No such caution was given in this instance; however, Zollicoffer did caution council members to be mindful of confidentiality issues during individual council members’ remarks later in the discussion, advice that was at least partially ignored.
Bryant told the council members that an officer, presumably Proctor, broke his window by pulling down on it while performing a license check and pulled him bodily from his vehicle. He then said that two other officers shoved him against a car.
The 20 year-old Vance-Granville Community College student said to the council that the officers used racially demeaning language. He went on to say that he feels that he was treated unfairly because of the color of his skin.
Bryant said that he has never had a negative encounter with police until this incident. He complained that previously he had only two traffic violations (at least one of which was dismissed), but now he has a disorderly conduct charge because of the officers.
Member Brenda Peace commented to Bryant that he “has been a very well-spoken young man”. She also said that she appreciates that and that she had “received” what he had said.
Bryant went on to claim that such behavior by police goes on every day. He said that he could pull ten black males off of the street and that they would say that the police have treated them unfairly.
Council member Mary Emma Evans commented that she was surprised that a police officer in Henderson would use that type of language.
Member George Daye reacted the most strongly of all council members, stating that “nobody can take this kind of abuse”. He asked what the [Henderson police chief]’s job was, indicating that he was not “controlling his officers”.
“We have a problem,” Daye said.
Bryant said that he has filed a complaint with the police department, but that members refuse to meet “one-on-one”.
“Authority is messing up our young folks,” Daye said.
Evans said that she had an incident with a family member who received what she characterized as “harsh treatment” from police “because they did not know him”. She said that one of the officers Bryant specified in his remarks had defended her relative. She also said that there are black judges today who “won’t consider giving black folk a break”. She said that she had seen police officers “be a little bit unfair and some who will step up to the place and do the right thing.”
It was established during the Henderson City Council of 2003-2005 that no comment should be offered by the council at the time such a presentation is made until after an investigation is conducted. This policy was established after council members offered immediate apologies to Dale for a complaint he made about a traffic stop conducted on him by Diogo during that council’s tenure.
O’Geary said that the matter should be turned over to City Manager Ray Griffin for a “complete investigation”. When member Lonnie Davis asked how soon a report could be obtained, Griffin said that he would discuss the matter with Henderson Police Chief Keith Sidwell tomorrow.
Dale told members that his own “incident” with the Henderson Police Department involved “these officers”, and that he hopes something will be done this time. Dale was most likely referring to his arrest on an obstruction charge earlier this year, a charge which was later dismissed in court. He said that there are good white officers and good black officers. He promised that he would support Bryant to make sure these types of racial slurs [don’t happen again].
“No one should have to be called these names,” Dale said.
Dale also remarked that he thinks the council “is a great council, I love you, but I want to see some changes”.
The reverend then introduced Brenda Henderson, whose son Rakeem Lewis was shot recently at a graduation party. He told the council that she has tried to contact detectives assigned to the case, but that no one has contacted her with information.
O’Geary remarked to Griffin that there is a “need to look into these and see what’s going on”.