Language used toward fellow officer is demeaning, incendiary
LANSING, MI – The East Lansing Independent Police Oversight Commission recently filed a complaint against Officer Harrison for her public comment to Officer Viera while the two were responding to a call at a resident’s home.
During the visit to the home, Officer Harrison was heard on body camera footage saying to Officer Viera, “You can’t even read a license plate right. It’s okay, English is your second language. It’s not your fault.”
The Commission filed the complaint on September 4, days after the officers responded to the call on August 25. In the complaint, the Commission stated, “Officer Harrison’s comments constitute hate speech and are unacceptable in the workplace. ELIPOC requests that this matter be handled as a violation of ELPD policy and the City of East Lansing employment contract.”
The Lansing Branch NAACP is demanding swift disciplinary action that will hold Officer Harrison accountable for her remarks.
“This hateful language is unacceptable behavior and should never be allowed in the workplace,” said Harold A. Pope, president of the Lansing Branch NAACP. “If this officer speaks this way to her fellow colleague, just think about how she would treat a black or brown citizen. We rely on police officers to serve and protect. There is no place, no room for this kind of behavior and systemic hatred among any police department. We expect an appropriate response for this type of behavior.”
Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. On April 14, 1919, the Lansing Branch was chartered under the leadership of Branch President C.A. Campbell. Lansing Branch is one of 2,220 branches in the association with the mission to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.
