LAKELAND, Fla. — The Black Lives Matter group of Polk County is calling for the resignation of four Lakeland police officers and the city’s police chief after a traffic stop caught on video got violent.
What You Need To Know
- Antwan Glover was tased, hit in face during December traffic stop; incident was caught on video
- Black Lives Matter group calls for action against four officers
- BELOW: Read police affidavit
The incident happened in December, and Black Lives Matter leader Carlos Soto said the alleged victim’s family is seeking legal help to address the incident.
“Their civil rights were violated, they were unlawfully charged, and an assault and battery took place with four officers at this department,” Soto said. “So yes, we are asking for the termination of all four officers and we’re also asking for criminal charges for these officers.”
Video shot by the teen daughter of Antwan Glover showed Glover being tased, then hit in the face several times.
Lakeland police said Antwan Glover refused to follow instructions after they pulled him over for not wearing a seatbelt. Glover had marijuana in the car, which he didn’t deny. Spectrum News confirmed he has a medical marijuana license.
@ashontifordlive WARNING ⛔️ DISTURBING VIDEO ⚠️ Police officers seen on camera punching a man in the face and body, while tasing him - in front of his family. Officers say this was the result of resisting instructions to give police his bag to search. The Black Lives Matter Restoration of Polk Co. Group is asking for the resignation of each officer from the December 18th event and the newly appointed police chief.
♬ original sound - IG: @ashontifordreports
An affidavit said Glover placed one of the officers in a choke hold, which wasn’t seen in the cell phone footage. When asked for comment, officials did not specifically comment on the incident, but instead released a statement concerning plans to have more officers wear body cameras in the future.
"These officers were not equipped with body-worn cameras at the time of the arrest," police said in a statement. "We are in the process of rolling out our body-worn camera program within our agency. In December, the Lakeland Police Department began incrementally rolling out body-worn cameras to uniform patrol officers. Along with the camera distribution, officers undergo a two-hour training block.
As of yesterday (Wednesday), we currently have 170 cameras issued of the 250 cameras ordered. We are continuing to issue cameras throughout the month."
Glover’s daughter and her mother were also arrested in the incident.
“These are the people you’re supposed to go to for help so, what can you tell your child?” Glover said. “All I can tell her is, 'Daddy’s still here, thank God.'”
Glover was charged with resisting an officer with violence, battery and possession of marijuana. Local groups like the Black Lives Matter restoration of Polk County are helping the family seek criminal charges for the four officers that were involved in the incident, and have spoken to state attorneys.
Lakeland police say the incident is under an investigation and that the results of that investigation could take up to 180 days.