Cops Caught On Camera Restraining Black Woman, Cutting Off Her Hair

2-12-2014 10-31-42 AM

A video uploaded to YouTube on January 31, 2014 shows a Michigan cop yanking back 22-year-old Charda Gregory’s head and forcibly cutting her hair after Gregory was slammed against a wall and strapped to a chair, where she sat kicking and screaming. Warren police officer?Bernadette Najor claims that Gregory was a suicide risk, but that was unlikely, according to?WCPO Cincinnati:

At many jails, prisoners are required to remove hair extensions that clip in because they could be used as a weapon or to commit suicide. But [Gregory] didn’t have clip in extensions. She had a weave that was sewn right into her real hair.

The young mother was accused of trashing a motel room. She claims that she went to a party in Detroit and believes she was drugged and later taken to the Suez Motel in Warren.

2-12-2014 10-55-34 AM

Paul Misukewicz, Gregory’s attorney, has some strong words about the incident:

As the son of a retired Warren police officer, Misukewicz says he’s never seen anything like this.

?I guess the best way to describe it would be sadistic. There’s absolutely no reason for it.? And it’s demeaning,? said Misukewicz.

Warren Police Commissioner Jere Green agrees.

?There’s a real simple thing: it’s called right and wrong.? And to me this is something that I won’t tolerate, I don’t think the citizens of Warren will tolerate it,? said Warren Police Commissioner Jere Green.? Green says Najor’s explanation that she had to remove Gregory’s weave because of alleged threats of suicide makes no sense.

?I don’t buy that’s the proper way to treat a human being.? I don’t think it’s decent, I don’t think there was any reason to do it, and when I look at it ? that bothers me,? said Green.

Unfortunately, the police monitoring system that was in use does not have audio. Officer Najor had an undisclosed prior disciplinary charge and has since been fired. A police union is challenging the firing. All charges against Charda Gregory have been dismissed.

 

Screengrab via YouTube

h/t Jezebel

I had a successful career actively working with at-risk youth, people struggling with poverty and unemployment, and disadvantaged and oppressed populations. In 2011, I made the decision to pursue my dreams and become a full-time writer. Connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.