(Michigan City, IN) - The mayor of Michigan City is defending the actions of officers during a traffic stop captured on a video that has gone viral on social media.
In a written statement, Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch said strong language was used but there were no violations of rights or policy. She also pointed out the driver was issued only a warning ticket and no complaints were ever filed.
“Outside groups are now circulating the video and misrepresenting the situation,” she said.
According to a statement released by the police department, the matter is being looked into with a commitment to “transparency and professionalism.”
“As this is a personnel matter, we are unable to provide any further comment until a thorough review has been completed. We appreciate your understanding,” police said.
The 20 minute video with more than 150,000 hits on YouTube since its recent posting depicts a traffic stop in February of 2024.
The male driver videotaping the stop from the beginning was accused of running a stop sign and having a license plate with a bracket partially obstructing its view.
The driver repeatedly denied committing any traffic violations while asking for the badge numbers of the officers.
One of the officers verbally gave out his badge number while another officer informed the driver his badge number will be on the written report of the traffic stop that would be available to him at the police station.
In the video, the driver continued to question the reason for the stop and make other statements during what was somewhat of a calm exchange but things started heating up when another officer showed up with a K-9 dog.
The driver kept ignoring orders to get out and step away from the vehicle to allow the dog to conduct a free air sniff around the outside of his car to detect any odors of drugs that might be inside.
He also accused the officers of verbally threatening him several times, which they strongly denied on each occasion.
The man was still seated in his vehicle when one of the officers seemingly weary out of frustration told him “you are making this so much more complicated.”
Eventually, he stepped out after officers threatened to release the dog to force him from the car.
He was instructed to step away but he refused, telling officers “I can be where I want, man. You stopped me for bullshit. I can be where I want,” the driver said.
At one point, the man was placed in handcuffs after warned he would be if he continued to not cooperate.
“This is my property. You wrongfully stopped me,” the driver told the officers.
The mood later seemed to lighten up.
In a friendly tone of voice, one of the officers advised the driver he would allowed to go home without a ticket if no drugs were found but if he kept “acting up,” he would be arrested for resisting arrest, disorderly conduct or “something stupid that you don’t need.”
The driver insisting there were no drugs in the car objected to the search, alleging there was no probable cause to legally substantiate it. In response, one of the officers told him a K-9 search for drugs is routine in many traffic stops.
“What kind of cops would we be if we didn’t do our due diligence,” the officer said.
After finding no drugs, the driver was given a warning ticket and the video ends with the man politely telling officers while they’re beginning to leave “you fellas be safe.”
Nelson Deuitch also said she supports the officers of her department who face difficult and often stressful situations.
“Nevertheless, we will continue to use incidents like this as part of our ongoing efforts to train, improve communication and strengthen trust between law enforcement and the community we serve,” she said.
