Use Of Force Legal, But Officers Performed 'Poorly:' Lower Merion Cops

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — Police in Lower Merion Township said while the actions taken during the controversial Jan. 8 traffic stop were legal, officers could have performed better.

At a news conference Tuesday, police detailed the timeline and actions of the Sunday, Jan. 8 incident at the intersection of Conshohocken State and Rockhill roads in Bala Cynwyd.

Dashboard camera and body camera footage showed the full incident being played out.

Officer Charles Murphy tried to stop a Volvo — driven by Chaine Jordan, 36, of Plymouth Meeting — for tailgating and used its lights and sirens to do so at about 1:12 p.m. that day.

About 1.3 miles after the lights and sirens were activated to initiate the stop, Jordan pulled into a Wawa parking lot.

The vehicle's hazards lights were activated for most of the travel time, video shows.

Murphy is seen on camera approaching the Volvo with a gun in his hand, but at his side. The officer is never seen raising the gun at the vehicle or driver.

Police said Jordan refused to provide paperwork, such as a driver's license, and said she was taking a passenger to the hospital.

Audio and video footage shows Jordan requesting a supervisor come to the scene, and Murphy told Jordan he did not care she was scared.

A backup officer reassured Jordan that a supervisor was coming, but Murphy would not let him interject with that information, police said.

Eventually, Murphy reached into the vehicle to open the door and tried to pull Jordan from the vehicle.

Murphy stopped trying to pull her out and used his taser, which was not effective, police said.

A second, direct attempt at using the taser also failed, police said.

Murphy abandoned the taser and with the help of a second officer was able to get Jordan from the vehicle, and a third officer was needed to place the driver in handcuffs, according to police.

In total, the time from the stop to Jordan being taken into custody was about 2 minutes and 7 seconds, according to police.

Police said the actions taken were legal based on the preceding events, which police said included fleeing and eluding.

However, police said the actions deviated from the department's trainings and policies, and that the best deescalation practices were not followed.

Jordan has been charged with fleeing or attempting to elude police, resisting arrest, driving with a suspended license, and other summary traffic offenses, according to court documents.

Misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia charges were also filed after police said Jordan was in possession of one Oxycodone pill in a medicine container with the label removed, according to court records and police.

She is awaiting a preliminary hearing, court records show

As for Murphy, police said he is on desk duty pending the full results of the investigation and any disciplinary actions taken by township officials.

Police Superintendent Michael McGrath said the public will be made aware of actions, if any, taken against Murphy.

"We can sometimes fail, McGrath said. "Our officers are human."

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

The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus said the woman's humanity and rights were disregarded.

"She was physically abused by these men and the system that has for years abused Black and brown folks across this commonwealth," the group said. "We stand with her and every victim of police violence and will continue our work on police reform in the upcoming legislative session."

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 the 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.

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.