Black Live Matters Restoration Polk Inc. leaders say that during the past month, four Lakeland residents have come forward with videos demonstrating a “pattern of violent behavior” by Lakeland PD officers.
Carl Soto, Black Live Matters Restoration Polk Inc. co-founder and vice president, said there was a meeting with Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor and Assistant Chief Marvin Tarver in which he shared several videos displaying the conduct of Detective Dillon Cornn and Officers Jason McCain and Anton Jefferson.
These officers are members of the department’s Street Crimes Unit, and all three were involved in a December arrest captured on video that appeared to show a suspect being punched on the ground.
The officers are under active investigation after the Dec. 18 arrest of Antwan Glover, who was detained for allegedly not wearing a seatbelt, then the officers smelled marijuana from his car.
Two videos posted to Facebook of Glover’s arrest went viral, showing what appeared to be an officer punching Glover in the head and upper torso.
“In the wake of Mr. Glover’s incident, videos have surfaced all over social media that have outraged the community,” Soto said. “This pattern of violent behavior is inexcusable.”
BLM states it was after the meeting that all three officers were placed on modified duty effective immediately.
Chief Taylor issued a press statement Wednesday stating the officers’ duties were changed in light of new information.
Under the LPD policy, the investigation has to be completed within 180 days, according to LPD spokeswoman Robin Tillett.
Pastor Clayton Cowart, the founder of the faith-based civil rights group Poor and Minority Justice Association, said his organization stands by BLM in calling for Lakeland Police Department and its officers to be held accountable.
These groups are all calling for State Attorney Brian Haas to arrest all the officers involved and charge them with crimes. Clayton states he has sent two letters have been sent to the State Attorney’s Office without any response.
“We’re talking about active criminal cases and we can’t comment,” said Jacob Orr, chief assistant to Haas.
Soto said BLM is reaching out to the U.S. Department of Justice to open an investigation into the Lakeland Police Department and its behavior.