George Cushingberry
Police Chief James Craig said at a press conference Friday that City Council President Pro Tem George Cushingberry was probably given "preferential treatment" when he was pulled over earlier this month.
Cushingberry was stopped after failing to signal. A police reported stated that officers saw an empty alcohol bottle and smelled marijuana in the car. The officers called the supervisor, who issued Cushingberry a moving violation. The councilman was not given a field sobriety test at the time.
An internal investigation into the incident showed that the cops who pulled Cushingberry over acted appropriately by notifying their supervisor that a public official was involved. The investigation into the supervisor is still ongoing. He will likely be disciplined by not fired, according to Craig.
“The sergeant failed to fully explore what the observations were by the officers at the scene," Craig said, "but we do know, based on the officers’ statements, that the councilman was uncooperative during that encounter; that he did mention his status as a councilperson by showing his ID."
Craig also gave more details about incident, saying that the alleged car contraband included a half-smoked joint, an empty bottle of alcohol and a cup of liquor sitting on the floor of the passenger side of the car. He also said that Cushingberry did not show evidence of a drivers license or proof of insurance.
Cushingberry has said nothing about the cup of alcohol or the joint. He explained the empty bottle of rum as being left over from a previous outing.
“...As the officers exited their police vehicle and began to approach (on foot), Mr. Cushingberry began to drive a short distance,” Craig said.
The officers broadcast over the police radio that their subject had driven away, but the councilman again pulled over, Craig said.
When the two officers, one white and one Arab-American, asked Cushingberry for his driver’s license, he refused, Craig said.
“As the officers requested Councilman Cushingberry’s driver’s license, he attempted to turn on the vehicle, at which time one of the officers reached in and recovered the keys, so that there would be no additional movement,” the chief said.
Previous Coverage:
- George Cushingberry Tells Detroit News To 'Go To Hell,' Wants To Expand People Mover
- Cushingberry Update: Police Officials Refute His Racial-Profiling Claim
- Police Chief Craig Opens Internal Investigation Regarding Cushingberry Citation
- We Deserve Better Than The Cushingberry Follies
- Blame The Media: George Cushingberry Is Our Fault
