The Iowa City Police Department wants to emphasize communication following a video that surfaced of a recent arrest. The controversy began because of a white Police Officer, Travis Graves arrested a black teen with use of alleged excessive force. In the video the office tells the teen to “put his hands behind his back” and he replies that he can’t. The Police Chief stated that it wasn’t the department’s finest moment, but it did follow policy. The new policy will emphasize de-escalation because the lack of communication leading up the arrest. He also stated the teens were unsupervised and hanging from the railing asking to get in trouble.

 

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To see the rec center’s surveillance footage click here.