April 22nd 2024.
Brandon Upchurch, a 39-year-old man, recently came forward to speak about the traumatic experience he faced during a traffic stop on April 11. He claims that officers from the Toledo Police Department subjected him to multiple bites from their K-9 unit, resulting in severe injuries. Upchurch also believes that the officers had no valid reason to stop his vehicle in the first place.
According to ABC News, Upchurch was driving his cousin home from work when officers pulled him over, claiming that his vehicle matched the description of a stolen one. However, Upchurch states that the officers did not follow the standard procedures of a traffic stop. "They immediately pointed their guns at me," he recalls. "They didn't even bother asking for my license, insurance, or anything."
Body cam footage reveals that the officers did ask Upchurch to step out of his vehicle, but they did not provide a reason for the stop. As he complied with their request, he repeatedly asked, "Why am I being stopped?" However, instead of answering his question, the officers demanded that he get on the ground. While he was in the process of kneeling, one officer released a K-9 unit on him, even though Upchurch was not resisting. "I wasn't doing anything wrong," he stated. "Why did you let the dog attack me?"
As the officers handcuffed Upchurch, they informed him that the license plate on his truck was allegedly linked to a stolen vehicle. However, Upchurch denied this and asked for medical assistance for his injuries. The officers assured him that help was on the way, but they also privately referred to Upchurch as a "petulant child" for requesting it. They also began to question if they had stopped the right vehicle, with one officer saying, "Now I know it's not the plate."
Despite realizing their mistake, the department still charged Upchurch with resisting arrest and obstruction. The police report states that Upchurch refused to comply with their commands throughout the incident, which he denies. An internal investigation is currently underway, but the police department has not released any details as of yet.
Upchurch believes that the police mishandled the situation and that the use of force was unnecessary. "This is excessive for a stolen license plate," he expressed. "They could have just run the plates again and realized it wasn't stolen. I have all my documents in order, and the officer even admitted on his body cam that he made a mistake."
The Toledo chapter of the NAACP also supports Upchurch's version of events and is calling for accountability from the police department. Rev. Willie Perryman III, the president of the organization, stated, "Police are meant to serve our community, not occupy it, even if they suspect someone has broken the law."
He added, "We expect our officers to treat everyone fairly and justly, even in situations where they may have been misinformed. Incidents like this not only hinder progress in building positive relationships between the community and the police but also highlight the need for proper training."
Reggie Williams, the executive director of the Frederick Douglass Center, echoed Perryman's sentiments, saying, "It was heartbreaking to see a dog being sicced on an innocent man of color who was simply asking why he was pulled over. We stand united in demanding justice and finding ways to improve the relationship between the police and the community. We do not want to face any further escalations that erode trust in our TPD."
In light of this incident, the family of Ricky Cobb II has filed a lawsuit against Minnesota State Troopers over a fatal traffic stop. This serves as a stark reminder of the need for police reform and accountability to ensure the safety and well-being of all members of the community.
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