Police Probe 'Unsettling' Video That 'Raises Concerns': Chief

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — An investigation is underway after a citizen released video that police described as "unsettling to watch." The recording showed part of an interaction between two officers and two individuals, according to authorities.

"The video is unsettling to watch and raises concerns," Police Chief Melissa Hyatt said in a statement. "I have ordered a thorough investigation of the incident in its entirety."

WBAL-TV shared some of the video, which a neighbor recorded as an officer threw a 76-year-old woman in Gwynn Oak to the ground before arresting her outside her home. Police alleged she had interfered with officers who had tried to arrest her granddaughter, according to the news station.

BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE TO BE RELEASED. Baltimore County police said following an investigation, body-worn camera footage will be released to the public. >> https://t.co/sfcGV1l6iG
— WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore (@wbaltv11) January 14, 2020

Rena Mellerson, 76, of the 7000 block of North Alter Street, is charged with second-degree assault, obstructing and hindering and resisting/interfering with an arrest Friday, Jan. 10, court records show. She was released on her own recognizance Saturday, Jan. 11.

The charges related to an incident that happened somewhere else earlier in the day involving Mellerson's granddaughter, Cierra Floyd, who police said was disorderly but left before officers could arrest her, WBAL reported.

Floyd, 30, of the 7000 block of North Alter Street, is charged with second-degree assault on an officer, second-degree assault, resisting/interfering with an arrest, failure to obey a lawful order and disorderly conduct, court records show. She was also released on her own recognizance Saturday, Jan. 11.

As part of the probe into what happened, the chief said police body-worn camera footage, interviews and additional documents will be reviewed. Body-worn camera video will be released at the conclusion of the investigation.

"I think the individual who taped the incident," Hyatt said related to Friday's incident. "Our residents are important partners in our communities. We hold our officers to a high standard of accountability. Maintaining the trust of those who live, work and visit Baltimore County is paramount as we continue to work together to keep communities safe."