Humanity, Rights 'Disregarded' In Lower Merion Use Of Force: PLBC

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus has decried the incident involving Lower Merion Township Police and a black woman who was tased during a traffic stop recently.

The group said video of the incident shared by Fox 29 was "disturbing" and called for more training and diversity among all police departments.

"The police interaction with the woman is disturbing but unfortunately not rare. Pulled over in a customer parking lot, the driver is heard asking for a supervisor before exiting the car," the group said in a statement. "The situation quickly escalates, and she is dragged from the car at gunpoint, tased, handcuffed on the ground with her shirt over her head and taken to a waiting police vehicle with her upper body exposed."

It all began with a traffic stop in Sunday Bala Cynwyd, at the intersection of Conshohocken State and Rockhill roads, township officials said.

Police tried to stop a vehicle, but a short pursuit ensued heading east on Conshohocken State Road, authorities said.

The vehicle stopped in a Wawa parking lot, and there, authorities said police encountered "a non-compliant driver who actively resisted their follow up investigation."

Video from the scene showed police using a Taser on the driver, who has not been charged, Fox 29 reports.

Video also showed police confronting the driver, a black woman, with a gun drawn.

Authorities said force was used to take the driver into custody, who was taken to a medical facility for what authorities said was an existing medical condition.

No one was hurt during the incident and the driver was released, according to authorities.

"This woman’s humanity and rights were disregarded," the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. "She was physically abused by these men and the system that has for years abused Black and brown folks across this commonwealth. We stand with her and every victim of police violence and will continue our work on police reform in the upcoming legislative session."

Authorities said the incident is being reviewed regarding the township's use of force policy.

The Lower Merion Police Department has a nationally accredited Use of Force policy that requires a full review of every such incident, authorities said.

Lower Merion Township Commissioners said the community can share their thoughts on Sunday's use of force incident in an official capacity next week.

Officials said the next opportunity for public comment on the incident is at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 18.

Comment will be available at the Police Committee meeting and the Regular Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled for that day.

Lower Merion Police Superintendent Michael McGrath will also share the results of the completed use of force investigation.

"We recognize that the public has an interest in and questions about the use of force incident that took place on Sunday, January 8, 2023, in Lower Merion Township," the board of commissioners said in a statement. "We all are eager to hear the results of a thorough investigation. The Board of Commissioners is committed to proceeding expediently and transparently. In addition, the Board welcomes the comments and feedback of the public.

Residents who wish to comment on the incident should reach out to their Commissioner or email the board at CommissionerDistributionList@lowermerion.org.

"The PLBC has been working on legislation to curb police violence during traffic stops, such as reducing pretextual traffic stops and tracking racial profiling and related disparities," the PLBC said. "Black drivers are more likely to be asked to step out of the car, more likely to have their car searched, more likely to be given a citation or violation, more likely to be detained and, unfortunately, more likely to have a violent encounter with the police as seen in this video."

We have for years been calling for training and diversity in departments so the officers who patrol the streets look more like the residents who live there, shoring up better police community relations and a sense of protection by police rather than harassment."