CNN) — Lansing, Michigan, police handcuffed a 12-year-old boy while he was taking out the trash, saying he matched the description of a suspected car thief in the area.
That police department is now facing criticism.
The incident happened Thursday at Waverly Park Apartments where Michael Bernard lives with his son, TaShawn. It was captured on a cellphone by a neighbour and then uploaded to social media, where it received millions of views and reactions from people questioning police actions.
Michael Bernard said he is heartbroken over his son being detained: “I was mad about it, because I was like, my son would never break any law. So, I rushed out and asked the cop, what’s the problem, why do you have my son in cuffs? Just like that.”
Bernard says he was doing dishes and told TaShawn to take out the trash. When he realised his son was taking too long to return, he went outside to check on him:
“So, I get concerned when I didn’t see him come back within that period of time and I walk out to hear, look out, and to my surprise, the cops had him in handcuffs.”
Lansing police said the 12-year-old fit the description of a man wanted for recent auto thefts in the area.
TaShawn told his dad that the police pulled their guns on him. Michael Bernard said his son “was stunned because he don’t know what’s transpiring. He’s like what have I done.”
Attorney-at-law Ayanna Neal, noted that “after dumping the trash in the dumpster, he was approached by a police officer who had his gun un-holstered and was holding it in front of him.”
In a news conference on Friday evening, the family said they are considering possible legal action against the city. Attorney-at-law Rico Neal said that “right now we’re discussing and exploring all legal options that are best suitable for our client.”
Lansing police declined an on-camera interview but called the incident an unfortunate misunderstanding.
The department later posted a statement on its Facebook page – saying in part – “community relations is a top priority for us as a department, from top-down. Our hope is we can put this unfortunate case of wrong place, wrong time behind us and continue to represent the community that we serve.”Lansing police say they are offering assistance for any trauma that the 12-year-old experienced.
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