The Blade
SANDUSKY — City officials held a news conference Tuesday to address concerns raised after a recorded traffic stop went viral on the Internet.
Officials said they would not comment on specifics of the video, an ongoing internal investigation into the incident, or the ongoing court case. Officials said the case was reviewed by prosecutors, who ruled that the officers involved in the stop “acted lawfully.”
In a video posted Thursday to YouTube, Sandusky Officer Christoper Denny gets into an argument with Andre Stockett, 34, of Huron, Ohio, about whether Mr. Stockett, needs to show identification. The video had been viewed more than 264,000 times as of Tuesday.
Officers said they stopped the car Mr. Stockett was riding in just after 7 p.m. Oct. 1 because it was driving without its headlights. Officer Denny said he needed to see Mr. Stockett’s identification because he bore a striking resemblance to a man officers know is wanted on felony warrants.
Mr. Stockett, who is black, said he did not have to show his identification and that the officers had no cause to stop the vehicle.
According to the Ohio Revised Code, people in public places can’t refuse to disclose their name, address, or date of birth when asked by law enforcement in a series of spelled-out scenarios, including a belief that the person is committing, has committed, or is about to commit an offense.
Sandusky officials, during the news conference, said the attention paid to the video and the traffic stop is an “opportunity” to have conversations about how to improve diversity on the department and enhance cultural sensitivity.
Officials said there are 45 full-time officers on the Sandusky Police Department. They said there are two African-American officers, one Hispanic officer, and three female officers.
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