From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
TUSCALOOSA — Tuscaloosa Police Chief Steve Anderson held a press conference Wednesday, April 24, after a video of the arrest of Jhasmynn Sheppard was circulated on social media.
Sheppard was arrested Friday, April 19. Anderson said she was involved in an accident on Old Plantation Road and Old Greensboro Road. Police said a citizen followed her from the scene after she drove off. With the help of that citizen, police were able to locate Sheppard and pull her over on McFarland Boulevard.
Someone inside a nearby store videoed the arrest and that video was shared on Facebook. The Tuscaloosa Police Department responded by releasing body cam footage. Anderson said when he first saw the video Saturday, he did not think the officers used excessive force while trying to arrest a person that was resisting.
“I did feel that it warranted a second look and a more in-depth investigation and so we began that investigation on Saturday trying to determine what had occurred,” Anderson said. “Once we started the investigation, we pulled the body camera video from the officers.”
In the video, you can hear everything the officers and the suspect are saying but you cannot see everything. During a struggle, the officer’s camera was knocked off of his uniform and onto the ground. You can hear one of the officers saying, “You’re lucky I didn’t put my gun in the back of your noggin and make you obey,” then calling her a “dumb (expletive).” The officer also threatened to break her arm and kick her in the teeth. One of the officers said Sheppard squeezed his genitals and tried to grab his baton during the struggle.
Anderson said after viewing the body camera video, he was offended. He said the actions of the officers, Steven Lackey and Cole Ward, do not reflect the teachings of the department.
“I was disappointed in the officers,” he said. “I was disgusted by what I saw, by what I heard and I was embarrassed by it.”
Anderson said the officers will now go before the disciplinary board. He said the officers have the right to due process.
Anderson is working with the city attorney to get the charges against Sheppard dismissed. She is currently charged with felony charges of resisting arrest, assaulting a police officer, and disarming law enforcement.
WARNING: The video contains foul language that may not be suitable for some viewers.
