Sergeant in Spitting Video Suspended: Baltimore Police

A 34-year veteran of the Baltimore Police Department has been suspended as officials investigate an incident captured on video that apparently showed the police sergeant spitting on a man he arrested.

Interim Police Commissioner Kevin Davis said the behavior was “outrageously unacceptable.” It also has the mayor calling for the sergeant’s resignation.

On Monday, Oct. 12, police said a man was arrested for disorderly conduct on Old York Road and “during the arrest, the officer appears to have spit on the suspect while he was in handcuffs.” The incident was captured on video.

“The video appears to depict the police sergeant spitting on the arrestee. That is outrageously unacceptable and it directly contradicts the necessary community relationships we are striving to rehabilitate,” Davis said. “Our entire community deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.”

Sgt. Robert Mesner, who has been with the Baltimore Police Department for 34 years, is being criminally and internally investigated and his police powers have been suspended, according to Davis.

The detainee was charged with disorderly conduct and second-degree assault, charges that are part of the investigation, Davis said Tuesday.

WBAL identified the detainee as Alfred Evans.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said Wednesday that she believes suspension isn’t enough, and said the sergeant “should resign,” according to WJZ.