Police Release 911 Tape, Body Cam Footage In Response To Viral Video

YONKERS, NY — A video making the rounds on social media has led to accusations that police officers unfairly harassed a young Black child who was simply walking down the street. Police officials, however, have released a 911 call and body cam footage to prove that officers not only acted appropriately, but were, in fact, simply looking out for the welfare of the child.

On Tuesday evening, the Yonkers Police Department said that it had been "made aware of a video posted to social media that is getting increased media attention due to false allegations."

"In the digital age, it is unfortunate when celebrities or self-proclaimed influencers use their platform to fuel false reality," Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said in a statement. "Despite many removing the video that spewed the false commentary from their feeds, there’s a bigger picture here: being accountable for our actions. Retracting negative commentary is the more responsible action. Yonkers Police have shown transparency by releasing the body-worn camera video. We thank them for their continued service to our community."

On June 11, the Yonkers Police Department received a call about a young boy, believed to be around the age of five, walking by himself in the city, looking disheveled in a white shirt and khaki pants, according to the 911 caller. Shortly after 6:30 p.m., two officers found the boy at the corner of Palisade Ave. and Elm St. and got out of their vehicle to check on him, police said.

In the body cam footage of the interaction, the officers explained to the child that someone had called the police because they were concerned about his well-being and offered him a ride home.

The child, who gave his age as 13, told the officer that he was fine and walked away.

The child was not interested in continuing the conversation.

"I have a name — why do I have to give it to you?" he can be heard saying on the body cam footage. "I told you I'm fine!"

But with only the child's word that he was much older than reported by the caller, the officers continued in the same direction to ensure the child's safety as he walked home, according to the department.

"We believe our Officers acted appropriately during this interaction," the Yonkers Police Department said in a statement released on Tuesday. "We thank you, as always, for supporting the Yonkers Police Department."

Police released the body cam footage, the audio of the 9-1-1 call and the dispatcher's call record of the incident, with the caller's identity redacted: