The Ugly Face of Racial Profiling Rises Yet Again in Davis

An area couple, African-American, is on their way home, they were meeting with the police ironically enough about a pending lawsuit filed against the City of Davis and the police for multiple incidents of harassment and racial profiling. Heading home, a patrol car is driving the other direction, spotting them, Officer Jeff Beasley orders his trainee to pull a u-turn and come up behind them, turns on the lights and pulls them over.

There were a couple of disturbing things that occurred during this incident. When pressed for a reason as to why he pulled them over, Beasley (who immediately took control of the situation–recognizing the couple) said they had an obstructed rear license plate. The explanation makes no sense as it is clear that the police car was traveling the opposite direction, spotted their pick up truck and performed a u-turn behind them. There is no way that the officers could have seen an obstructed rear license plate from the front side. Moreover, of course, there is no obstructed rear license plate. When you see the vehicle it is clear as day. It was the most flimsy of excuses to pull over and continue to harass this couple.

The second and most disturbing feature of this incident is that the couple was able to capture it on film. (For a number of reasons unfortunately it cannot be shown on this blog). At one point, they informed the Officer that they were filming this and he responded that the police were filming it as well.

The City of Davis has installed expensive digital recording devices into all its patrol cars. This has been promoted as a means to not only protect the police officers but better serve the public. However, in most incidents of this sort, it seems that the recordings have not worked. Some have suggested that there are legitimate technical issues in getting such a system operational. Others have suggested that this is a little bit too convenient–especially since some of the most revealing footage is apparently not reporting.

When the attorney for this couple requested to view the police vehicle surveillance video, he was told that it didn’t record it, despite the fact that Officer Beasley clearly informed the couple that it was being recorded. Moreover, there is a couple of minute period of time when the police officers go into the trunk of the police car and appear to be doing something back there. From the coverage we’ve seen it is unclear as to what they were doing, but it seemed to be a strange thing to do at that point in time.

All of this will be forwarded to the proper authorities, however, troubling aspects of this remain, particularly the unreliability of the recording equipment and the open question as to whether or not the officer has the ability to manipulate or alter recordings on the scene. These are questions for the new police ombudsman, Robert Aaronson, to address and we hope he is allowed to view and investigate this incident.

—Doug Paul Davis reporting

Author

  • David Greenwald

    Greenwald is the founder, editor, and executive director of the Davis Vanguard. He founded the Vanguard in 2006. David Greenwald moved to Davis in 1996 to attend Graduate School at UC Davis in Political Science. He lives in South Davis with his wife Cecilia Escamilla Greenwald and three children.

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Civil Rights

108 comments

  1. Several things come to mind-

    I am certain that the name, Officer Beasley, has come up previously – someone needs to maintain a scorecard for each officer involved in these incidents. I think this was the same guy who pulled over Dean Johanson (Yolo ACLU). One impression I got from the Johanson story was that he was pulled over because of his ACLU affiliation. I wonder if this couple was pulled over because the officer knew they were filing complaints against the DPD. In other words I wonder if they were specifically targeted.

    Video cameras are obviously a wonderful tool to support the truth. More people should carry cameras. I do not visit Davis very often but I do make it a habit of grabbing a video camera before I go to Davis – because I do not trust the DPD. I do not even think about taking a camera to any other city – unless I am sightseeing.

    This story clearly demonstrates dishonest behavior by the DPD – a continuing and significant problem. The Officer lied about the reason for pulling the couple over then he lied about the operation of the camera. Of course he might not have lied about the camera – if that was the case then he conspired with others (at least the other Officer in the car)to erase the evidence of the stop. SAH

  2. Several things come to mind-

    I am certain that the name, Officer Beasley, has come up previously – someone needs to maintain a scorecard for each officer involved in these incidents. I think this was the same guy who pulled over Dean Johanson (Yolo ACLU). One impression I got from the Johanson story was that he was pulled over because of his ACLU affiliation. I wonder if this couple was pulled over because the officer knew they were filing complaints against the DPD. In other words I wonder if they were specifically targeted.

    Video cameras are obviously a wonderful tool to support the truth. More people should carry cameras. I do not visit Davis very often but I do make it a habit of grabbing a video camera before I go to Davis – because I do not trust the DPD. I do not even think about taking a camera to any other city – unless I am sightseeing.

    This story clearly demonstrates dishonest behavior by the DPD – a continuing and significant problem. The Officer lied about the reason for pulling the couple over then he lied about the operation of the camera. Of course he might not have lied about the camera – if that was the case then he conspired with others (at least the other Officer in the car)to erase the evidence of the stop. SAH

  3. Several things come to mind-

    I am certain that the name, Officer Beasley, has come up previously – someone needs to maintain a scorecard for each officer involved in these incidents. I think this was the same guy who pulled over Dean Johanson (Yolo ACLU). One impression I got from the Johanson story was that he was pulled over because of his ACLU affiliation. I wonder if this couple was pulled over because the officer knew they were filing complaints against the DPD. In other words I wonder if they were specifically targeted.

    Video cameras are obviously a wonderful tool to support the truth. More people should carry cameras. I do not visit Davis very often but I do make it a habit of grabbing a video camera before I go to Davis – because I do not trust the DPD. I do not even think about taking a camera to any other city – unless I am sightseeing.

    This story clearly demonstrates dishonest behavior by the DPD – a continuing and significant problem. The Officer lied about the reason for pulling the couple over then he lied about the operation of the camera. Of course he might not have lied about the camera – if that was the case then he conspired with others (at least the other Officer in the car)to erase the evidence of the stop. SAH

  4. Several things come to mind-

    I am certain that the name, Officer Beasley, has come up previously – someone needs to maintain a scorecard for each officer involved in these incidents. I think this was the same guy who pulled over Dean Johanson (Yolo ACLU). One impression I got from the Johanson story was that he was pulled over because of his ACLU affiliation. I wonder if this couple was pulled over because the officer knew they were filing complaints against the DPD. In other words I wonder if they were specifically targeted.

    Video cameras are obviously a wonderful tool to support the truth. More people should carry cameras. I do not visit Davis very often but I do make it a habit of grabbing a video camera before I go to Davis – because I do not trust the DPD. I do not even think about taking a camera to any other city – unless I am sightseeing.

    This story clearly demonstrates dishonest behavior by the DPD – a continuing and significant problem. The Officer lied about the reason for pulling the couple over then he lied about the operation of the camera. Of course he might not have lied about the camera – if that was the case then he conspired with others (at least the other Officer in the car)to erase the evidence of the stop. SAH

  5. I’ve compiled a list of 17 incidents since the beginning of this year. Beasley has now been involved in at least three of those incidents. One was indeed Dean Johansson.

    People need to video this stuff, but it’s very important that when they are confronted by officers even if the officer is in the wrong to be very respectful of the officer and cooperate, and then you can file your complaint later.

  6. I’ve compiled a list of 17 incidents since the beginning of this year. Beasley has now been involved in at least three of those incidents. One was indeed Dean Johansson.

    People need to video this stuff, but it’s very important that when they are confronted by officers even if the officer is in the wrong to be very respectful of the officer and cooperate, and then you can file your complaint later.

  7. I’ve compiled a list of 17 incidents since the beginning of this year. Beasley has now been involved in at least three of those incidents. One was indeed Dean Johansson.

    People need to video this stuff, but it’s very important that when they are confronted by officers even if the officer is in the wrong to be very respectful of the officer and cooperate, and then you can file your complaint later.

  8. I’ve compiled a list of 17 incidents since the beginning of this year. Beasley has now been involved in at least three of those incidents. One was indeed Dean Johansson.

    People need to video this stuff, but it’s very important that when they are confronted by officers even if the officer is in the wrong to be very respectful of the officer and cooperate, and then you can file your complaint later.

  9. I have alerted councilman Heystek to this very informative piece. It is important for our city council reps to stay involved in making sure that these first cases are thoroughly explored by our new ombudsman. These first cases will set the tone of his tenure. Emails and public comment at council meetings are the voter’s way of letting our council reps know that we are paying attention to their actions (and inactions).

  10. I have alerted councilman Heystek to this very informative piece. It is important for our city council reps to stay involved in making sure that these first cases are thoroughly explored by our new ombudsman. These first cases will set the tone of his tenure. Emails and public comment at council meetings are the voter’s way of letting our council reps know that we are paying attention to their actions (and inactions).

  11. I have alerted councilman Heystek to this very informative piece. It is important for our city council reps to stay involved in making sure that these first cases are thoroughly explored by our new ombudsman. These first cases will set the tone of his tenure. Emails and public comment at council meetings are the voter’s way of letting our council reps know that we are paying attention to their actions (and inactions).

  12. I have alerted councilman Heystek to this very informative piece. It is important for our city council reps to stay involved in making sure that these first cases are thoroughly explored by our new ombudsman. These first cases will set the tone of his tenure. Emails and public comment at council meetings are the voter’s way of letting our council reps know that we are paying attention to their actions (and inactions).

  13. The victim in this incident will address the council at their next meeting, which I believe is November 14.

    Also of interest is that the City Council has invited former members of the HRC to that meeting–including the members that they “fired” last June.

  14. The victim in this incident will address the council at their next meeting, which I believe is November 14.

    Also of interest is that the City Council has invited former members of the HRC to that meeting–including the members that they “fired” last June.

  15. The victim in this incident will address the council at their next meeting, which I believe is November 14.

    Also of interest is that the City Council has invited former members of the HRC to that meeting–including the members that they “fired” last June.

  16. The victim in this incident will address the council at their next meeting, which I believe is November 14.

    Also of interest is that the City Council has invited former members of the HRC to that meeting–including the members that they “fired” last June.

  17. It’s easy to throw out innuendo and accusations, isn’t it? Who needs facts? Who needs the whole story? After all, what you “think” happens to fall right in line with your beliefs. Handy.

    Those pesky facts… they tell a different story. One you’re not so receptive to.

    And that silly City Council majority who insisted on getting the facts. Who needs responsible people like that on the council?

  18. It’s easy to throw out innuendo and accusations, isn’t it? Who needs facts? Who needs the whole story? After all, what you “think” happens to fall right in line with your beliefs. Handy.

    Those pesky facts… they tell a different story. One you’re not so receptive to.

    And that silly City Council majority who insisted on getting the facts. Who needs responsible people like that on the council?

  19. It’s easy to throw out innuendo and accusations, isn’t it? Who needs facts? Who needs the whole story? After all, what you “think” happens to fall right in line with your beliefs. Handy.

    Those pesky facts… they tell a different story. One you’re not so receptive to.

    And that silly City Council majority who insisted on getting the facts. Who needs responsible people like that on the council?

  20. It’s easy to throw out innuendo and accusations, isn’t it? Who needs facts? Who needs the whole story? After all, what you “think” happens to fall right in line with your beliefs. Handy.

    Those pesky facts… they tell a different story. One you’re not so receptive to.

    And that silly City Council majority who insisted on getting the facts. Who needs responsible people like that on the council?

  21. Davis resident… you are correct. It is much too early to come to any conclusions about this episode.The new ombudsman needs to be encouraged by the council to vigorously pursue the facts to their conclusion. With Beasley involved in 3+ of the 17 reported incidents, we would need to know how that percentage compares with that of the other patrolling officers. Is 3+ a significantly greater percentage?

  22. Davis resident… you are correct. It is much too early to come to any conclusions about this episode.The new ombudsman needs to be encouraged by the council to vigorously pursue the facts to their conclusion. With Beasley involved in 3+ of the 17 reported incidents, we would need to know how that percentage compares with that of the other patrolling officers. Is 3+ a significantly greater percentage?

  23. Davis resident… you are correct. It is much too early to come to any conclusions about this episode.The new ombudsman needs to be encouraged by the council to vigorously pursue the facts to their conclusion. With Beasley involved in 3+ of the 17 reported incidents, we would need to know how that percentage compares with that of the other patrolling officers. Is 3+ a significantly greater percentage?

  24. Davis resident… you are correct. It is much too early to come to any conclusions about this episode.The new ombudsman needs to be encouraged by the council to vigorously pursue the facts to their conclusion. With Beasley involved in 3+ of the 17 reported incidents, we would need to know how that percentage compares with that of the other patrolling officers. Is 3+ a significantly greater percentage?