Detroit Cops Rough Up Reporter Trying To Question Politician [Video]

Two Detroit police officers shoved aside a TV reporter with Fox/WJBK Channel 2 who was trying to interview a city councilman on Tuesday night.

M.L. Elrick was attempting to speak with City Council President Pro Tem George Cushingberry Jr. before a community meeting at a local church when the cops on the city security detail intervened and pushed the reporter against the wall. See embed below.

The reporter apparently was trying to interview Cushingberry about a controversial traffic stop earlier this month in which he may have gotten preferential treatment from the police. Separately, Cushingberry’s law license is reportedly being suspended for 45 days as a result of an instance of professional misconduct. The councilman evidently has been less than forthcoming with the news media, prompting the reporter to head over to the public meeting. “Elrick said he’s called Cushingberry requesting comment for stories he’s working on but received no response so decided to address his questions at the public forum Tuesday. Before even getting a response from Cushingberry, two Detroit police officers can be seen in Fox 2 footage shoving Elrick aside.”

Said Elrick about the incident: “I do think it says something that when public officials not only do not feel like they have to answer to the public but they use the police to keep the public from asking questions that something has gone very, very wrong in this city at a time when we hope that things are finally going right.”

Detroit Police Chief James Craig has launched an internal affairs investigation into the scuffle. In the meantime, a sergeant involved in the incident has been booted from the city council security team but will still continue other police duties. The chief noted that on a preliminary basis, there was no excessive force used against M.L. Elrick. He will hold a press conference tomorrow to address the incident.

[top image credit: Sean Davis]