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A Satsuma police officer was placed on administrative leave Sunday. The decision comes after the officer was involved in alleged misconduct over the weekend. The incident came to light via a Facebook post from Logan Carter.
The Incident
According to Carter, Officer Roberts pulled her over on her way to her parents’ house. Carter goes on to describe a routine traffic stop gone bad. She claims that Officer Roberts proceeded to yell and act very aggressively without provocation.
Carter states that the incident got physical, with Officer Roberts pushing both her and a male passenger, Joshua Carrera. She even claims that Roberts attempted to snatch her car seat away from her as she attempted to deliver her child from the now turned off hot vehicle to her mother.
Both were ultimately arrested. Roberts claimed the arrest was for disorderly conduct. Carter said that Officer Robert’s demeanor changed once another officer arrived. She said the calmer tone continued once they were taken to jail.
Roberts alleges that Carter attempted to flee from him during the incident. In the end, the entire incident stems from Carter allegedly not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign.
Carter’s post exploded on Facebook, garnering nearly 600 comments as of this writing. Other citizens came forward with complaints about Officer Roberts. The Satsuma Police Department responded with a post claiming they were looking into the incident. They later announced they were putting Officer Roberts on leave.
Satsuma Police Chief Clint Harrell is asking for the public’s assistance in the investigation. Any witnesses to the incident should contact the Satsuma Police Department. Anyone with video, such as that from a nearby security camera, would be most helpful.
Police Reform
The incident in Satsuma comes on the heels of several high profile incidents involving police misconduct across the country. The killing of George Floyd by police officers set off nationwide protests against police brutality against minorities. A wave of police reforms soon followed in many cities, including calls to defund the police.
Both Carter and Roberts are white, so the racial element is not in play in this incident. However, if proven true, the behavior is disturbing nonetheless. The problem is compounded by the fact that Officer Roberts was not wearing a body cam, something that should be the standard operating procedure for all officers across the country at this point.
The incident is sure to bring the topic of police reform home to many locals. Placing a Satsuma officer on administrative leave is a big deal for the small town. One reform that should be closely looked at is getting Satsuma police officers some body cams. They provide security for both the officers and civilians. It’s a win-win for all sides.