Another major controversy over the use of force by police is developing very quickly today in Milwaukee, WI, and at the center of it is a professional athlete.
ESPN is reporting that a rookie player for the Milwaukee Bucks pro basketball team is planning to file suit against Milwaukee’s police department alleging excessive force following a confrontation between him and police earlier this year. Body-camera footage of the incident, in which police allegedly used a stun gun on the Bucks player, Sterling Brown, while he was being questioned by officers over a parking violation at a Walgreen’s drug store in the city early the morning of January 26, is set to be released later this week.
A newspaper report citing sources indicated that Brown did not provoke officers prior to having the weapon allegedly used on him by city cops, and with that in mind, Milwaukee’s mayor, Tom Barrett, expressed to reporters his concern about potential public backlash once the video is released, which is expected to be tomorrow.
According to ESPN, there is an internal investigation ongoing into the actions of the officers involved in the incident, and a number of local officials, including members of Milwaukee’s city council, have seen the video footage in question.
The player was not charged after the incident, which resulted in his arrest by police.
