DETROIT — The Detroit Police Department announced it is conducting an investigation into the behavior and actions of a Detroit police officer after a video he recorded on Snapchat during a traffic stop was discovered. The troubling video appears to shows the officer, Gary Steele, mocking a 23-year-old African American and Black History Month. In response to this announcement, state Rep. Tenisha Yancey (D-Detroit) issued the following statement:
“The type of behavior displayed by Officer Steele has no place within the police department and more broadly, in society at large. An Officer has one mission — to protect and serve the public— and he failed. It is never acceptable for the police to mock and denigrate the people they are sworn to protect. I would like to thank Chief Craig for the way he has handled this situation with careful consideration and decisive actions that followed the evidence. I also have complete confidence he will make the necessary reforms to ensure that this never happens again.”