Two more Lansing cops on leave after violent Baker Street arrest

THURSDAY, Nov. 12 — Two more officers at the Lansing Police Department have been placed on paid administrative leave as the Michigan State Police launches an investigation into a violent arrest earlier this week along the 800 block of Baker Street in southeast Lansing. Click here to watch footage of the arrest.

That makes three officers now on paid leave stemming from the arrest of a 25-year-old man involving several officers on Tuesday evening. According to a press release, officers were dispatched to the scene for a fight involving five or six men about 11:21 p.m. Tuesday.

After the suspect appeared to resist arrest, officers reportedly used a taser and delivered “several strikes.” Once in custody, the man was transported to a hospital for a medical review and lodged in the police lock-up beneath Lansing City Hall early Wednesday morning.

None of the three officers who were placed on leave have been identified, except as two men and a woman. Two worked at the department for two years; one worked there for four.

Their role in the arrest is unclear, but Police Chief Daryl Green said the investigation relates to “the actions of the officers and the response to resistance during the arrest.” Policies dictate that an outside law enforcement agency — like MSP — investigate the incident, he said.

“I saw something that was definitely concerning to me,” Green told a City Pulse reporter yesterday. “The initial contact, the verbal communication just at the start of the video, was disappointing and concerning to me. From that, I wanted to make sure that the officer did not return to the street until we had a chance to review all the video and reports.”

Video of the end of the struggle with the 25-year-old has since made waves on social media. However, Green's decision to suspend the officer was based on body cam footage not shared with the public, he said — an indication that there may be more details yet to be released.

Green stressed the administrative leave issued this morning was part of a very “preliminary” review of the incident that will involve watching about 30 videos from body-worn and dashboard cameras. The incident is being reviewed under “use of force” policies, Green said yesterday.

Green has since briefed Ingham County Prosecutor Carol Siemon’s office and requested MSP detectives to assist by investigating the incident. Once that investigation is complete, findings will be sent to Siemon for review. At which point, LPD will conduct its own probe.

“This standard protocol investigation will determine if the employees violated any departmental procedures or policies,” according to a press release. “In the event any of the involved officers violated department procedure or policy, they will be subject to discipline.”

Officials said that punishment can include a verbal or written reprimand or termination. Regardless, all officers will undergo additional training as a result of this incident, Green said, noting that LPD will not provide any further comment or details during MSP’s investigation.

Check back for more coverage as additional details about the incident become available.