Metro Police Chief Vera Bumpers of Texas concluded there was “no wrongdoing” of a police officer accused of harassment and aggressive tactics in the arrest of a 28-year-old Black woman.
Earledreka White, a social worker in the Houston area, was pulled over in March for a traffic violation. What could have been a routine traffic stop, resulted in White being placed in handcuffs and hauled off to jail for two-days.
Newly-released video shows a police officer pulled White over in a shopping center.
White exits the vehicle, and according to her account, the officer immediately began yelling. It is not clear what the officer said because there is no audio. But whatever was said concerned White who is seen in the video walking back to her vehicle to dial 911.
Audio from the 911 call reveals a visibly shaken White requesting for another officer to come on the scene.
“I’m calling to report an event, I was just pulled over by a police officer. He’s saying I crossed over a solid line and I did not…he raised his voice at me…I’m really confused… my heart is racing. I’m really afraid,” White says.
The dispatch is heard telling White she must transfer her call to the appropriate division. When White tells the dispatch, “I’m calling to report harassment by a police officer,” the officer immediately reaches for his handcuffs and White’s arm all at once.
The exchange follows with White crying and asking “Why are you doing this?” as the officer forcibly pushes her against the car.
White was arrested and charged with resisting arrest. Her first arrest and charge ever.
“She was uncooperative but he did everything reasonable within the law,” Metro Police Chief Vera Bumpers told The Houston Chronicle. “He explained what was going on, what the violation was and that he was focused on her safety, as well as his.”
Watch the full video with the dispatch audio below.
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