Battle Creek teen detained while walking home sparks concerns over fear of police
By: -----
Battle Creek, MI - A Battle Creek teenager's video showing him being detained by police while walking down the street is going viral and sparking a conversation with city leaders.
The video has drawn reaction from a couple of Battle Creek City Commissioners, who worry interactions like these are instilling fear of the police in the community
Jeremiah Spearman, 16, recorded the video on his phone when Battle Creek police officers tried stopping him Sunday afternoon.
Spearman was walking home down Hubbard Street and doesn't understand why he was being followed.
"I was nervous and afraid," he said.
Spearman kept walking, and video shows police officers pulled up right next to him.
"You're being detained, I am trying to have a conversation," an officer in the video said.
Battle Creek Police Chief Shannon Bagley declined to talk with News Channel 3 on camera Wednesday. However, he said his officers tried to de-escalate the situation by talking with Spearman.
According to Bagley, officers saw the teen clutching his shorts, making them think he could have a weapon.
"I was clutching my pants because it was below 60 degrees, my hands were in my pants for warmth," Spearman said.
Spearman told the officers he has a pocket knife as he was being detained. He was searched and released shortly after.
"I don't have nothing on me but my pocket knife," Spearman said. "That was in my right pocket so nowhere near my hand."
"You don't see him showing any signs of committing a crime, he's not making any threats." Spearman's mother, Martricia, said. "I have a 13-year-old who has a pocket knife, they fish, they use pocket knives."
During Tuesday night's City Commission meeting, two commissioners brought up the incident. One of those commissioners was Jenasia Morris.
"It's in fact making our community have a sense of fear with the police that you can't do things as a normal person," Morris said.
Bagley told News Channel 3 that Battle Creek Police want to maintain positive relationships with people. He says his officers are only looking out for the safety and well-being of the community.
Bagley was asked if officers responded properly according to policy. He said the decision to stop and briefly detain Spearman was appropriate.
"The officer’s approach was calm and focused on resolving the situation safely," Bagley said.
Martricia Spearman believes there needs to be better police training for these types of scenarios.
"I feel like they do need to have a different protocol for approaching these type of situations," she said. "There needs to be different things they look for besides just hands in someone's pants."
Battle Creek commissioners have brought up the incident to the city's Manager, who is reviewing it.
Martricia Spearman, on the other hand, says she plans to take legal action.