Ferndale Officer Charged with Assaulting Arrestee (video)
(Crystal A. Proxmire, June 29, 2016)
Ferndale, MI – Ferndale Officer Jason White resigned in the midst of an investigation into use of excessive force against a man who was under arrest. According to a statement by Ferndale Police Chief Timothy Collins, “In the early morning hours of April 18, 2016, a young man was arrested for Larceny from Auto by Officer Jason White of the Ferndale Police Department. The arrest took place after a search by officers of a southeast Ferndale neighborhood following a resident complaint of Larceny form Auto in progress. The suspect and a companion were found leaving the area with items stolen from neighborhood vehicles – this young man’s fifth similar offense in a two year period.
“Upon his incarceration, the arrestee alleged that Officer White acted in a manner that was abusive/excessively forceful. An immediate internal investigation into the incident – including the pulling and viewing of video coverage of the arrest from White’s vehicle In-Car Video system – revealed actions that the Ferndale Police Department deemed excessive.
“Upon confirmation of the violation, Officer White was relieved of duty. The Ferndale Police Chief requested that the matter be reviewed by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office as a criminal matter, and the Sheriff’s Office began a criminal investigation the same day. A week later, with internal charges pending, White officially resigned from the department.
“On Monday June 27, Oakland County issued a warrant for assault and Battery against former Officer White. Presiding Judge Joseph Long and the 43rd District Court Judges recused themselves and the case was sent to the State Court Administrator’s Office for reassignment.
“Now that former officer White has been arraigned, Ferndale Police Chief Timothy Collins has elected to release White’s In-Car Video footage along with the following statement:
“On April 18, an allegation of excessive force was made by a young man who had been arrested by an officer of the Ferndale Police Department. In viewing a recording of the arrest (taken via the officer’s In-Car Video system) I was deeply troubled by what I witnessed. There are no excuses to be made: the arresting officer involved in this incident did indeed use excessive [force]”
“Allow me to say first and foremost that the actions of this single officer are not in any way indicative or reflective of the Ferndale Police Department’s principles, values or operation. Community is at the heart of all that we do; we strive every day to promote a culture in which our officers act and are viewed as guardians and protectors. I can speak for the entire department when I say that I am shocked and disappointed by what occurred during this arrest. Evey individual, regardless of his or her alleged actions, is entitled to safety and respect; I apologize that this young man did not receive this.
“While one individual displayed inappropriate and unacceptable behavior, the rest of our department – acting in a way that reflects our true values and the training our team receives – worked rapidly to bring this issue to light and ensure that appropriate action was taken. In the days immediately following the incident, the allegation was reported up the chain of command from the patrol officer to his sergeant to his lieutenant and to the captain; I was made aware of the violation; in-car video was requested and viewed; the officer involved was relieved of duty and a criminal investigation was requested and viewed; the officer involved was relieved of duty and a criminal investigation was requested. On May 1 the officer officially resigned from the Ferndale Police Department. We have cooperated fully with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, and the case in now in the court system. “I pledge that my department and I will do our very best to see that a violation lie this never occurs again. We demand the very best from every member of our team and we will continue to provide the information and training necessary to ensure that all members are equipped to act as responsible stewards of the law.”