The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is facing scrutiny after newly released body-camera footage from an officer shows a different account than the police report that led to the arrest of an 18-year-old Back man, Dailen Brewer.
It all started last month, when Brewer was arrested on several felony charges on April 12, according to WRTV News. The arresting officer, Sgt. Robyn Frazier, accused the teen of pointing a revolver at her. “Brewer made a gesture like he pulled the trigger, but the gun did not fire,” according to a police statement shared days after the arrest. “He looked down at his gun as if he were surprised by this,” the officer alleged.
Weeks after the alleged incident, however, the charges against Brewer were dropped with little explanation from authorities. A judge reportedly granted the defense’s motion to dismiss all charges, citing “body-worn camera footage does not support the allegations in the probable cause affidavit,” according to WRTV.
It would take additional time before the bodycam footage taken from Sgt. Frazier was to be released to the public. Following the public release, debates over racially charged arrests and police ethics were reignited.
Here’s what the footage shows:
Officers previously said they responded to a call involving a person with a gun. The video shows officers engaging with a group of young, mostly Black people in a local park before a brief pursuit commences. When the sergeant finally gets out of her police car, she approaches the two male suspects, who are in a red Honda sedan. Brewer was in the driver’s seat.
“Move your hand now,” the officer can be heard instructing Brewer before demanding he open his door. She continues telling him to “open the door right now. Don’t move your hands.” Both Black men comply with the officer’s commands.
With their hands still in the air, Frazier radios for backup. At this point, she pulls out her gun and aims it directly at Brewer.
“Do not f*****g move”, she tells them. In the background, you can hear spectators shouting in defense of the two men. Eventually, the officer orders Brewer out of the car. At that point, another officer comes into the frame, and they arrest the teenager.
Police recovered a revolver and an AR-style firearm from inside the vehicle, according to the department’s statement. The passenger was released while Brewer was taken into custody. The release of the video follows increased public scrutiny of police use-of-force narratives and body-worn camera transparency in Indianapolis, where several similar incidents have sparked community concern and legal challenges.
“In both of these incidents, our officers were faced with rapidly escalating and extremely dangerous situations in which firearms were pointed at officers, and, in one case, an attempt was made to disarm an officer,” said Chief Tanya Terry. “In each moment, our officers responded with professionalism and action, maintained control under extreme pressure, and prevented what could have been tragic outcomes.”
