This brief is adapted from notes taken by Documenter Andrew Zehner, who covered the Citizens’ Police Complaint Board meeting in April. 📝 Read more about what happened.
The Citizens’ Police Complaint Board reviewed Ambar and Trey Taylor’s complaint against Sgt. John Walters of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, who stopped their son for failing to signal before a lane change in February.
In a video taken by 17-year-old Trevion Taylor, Walters can be heard saying, “Move, and I will f***ing kill you.”
Taylor’s parents filed a complaint against Walters for conduct unbecoming of an officer for the threatening language used toward their son. They also alleged that Walters made an illegal traffic stop without probable cause.
IMPD’s Internal Affairs Division sustained the charges for conduct unbecoming of an officer, but exonerated Walters for the illegal traffic stop.
The board agreed with internal affairs about conduct unbecoming of an officer and sustained the charges.
“Everybody agrees that the harsh language that was used is disgusting and wrong,” Board Member Gabriel Vaughn said. “For that, he should be disciplined as harshly as possible. Especially with a child. I understand there’s more to the case, but this part shouldn’t be complicated. It’s just as clear as it could be, and he needs to be disciplined for it.”
As for the illegal traffic stop, the board decided to send the question back to the Citizens’ Police Complaint Office until a criminal matter with one of the passengers in Taylor’s car is resolved and full evidence is available.
What’s next?
The next Citizens’ Police Complaint Board meeting is 6 p.m. May 11. The location of this meeting will be announced closer to the meeting date.
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