City’s police chief: cops followed procedure during July 23 stop
Metro Wire Staff
Stevens Point Police Chief Martin Skibba has released his office’s statement pertaining to claims of racial profiling against local law enforcement.
Deandre Patrick Pettiford was one of the multiple men stopped by Stevens Point police and Portage Co. deputies who reportedly matched the general description of a suspect being sought in an armed robbery on July 23. During the robbery, a man alleged he was robbed at gunpoint of $250.
In a Facebook post that has since gone viral, Pettiford alleges he was racially profiled and harassed by law enforcement, also claiming his rights were violated. Pettiford has not responded to Metro Wire requests for an interview.
According to the incident report, Pettiford’s appearance resembled the physical and clothing description relayed during the 911 call. The actual suspect in the robbery, 17-year-old Antonio Cruz of Stevens Point, was reported to be 5’8″ and 160 pounds with “medium skin tone” and dark hair, wearing a blue shirt and carrying a black backpack.
Pettiford was also 5’8″ and 160 pounds, with dark hair and skin, and wore similar clothing. He was stopped near the Shopko parking lot while riding his bicycle east on Main St. and questioned by a city police officer and two Portage Co. deputies.
He was respectful during questioning, the incident report said.
“Pettiford said that he understood and knew that we had a job to do,” the report reads in part. “[The officer] thanked him for his cooperation and he was sent on his way.”
Skibba’s statement follows:
“On 7-23-18, at 1:21 a.m., law enforcement from Stevens Point Police Department and Portage County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an armed robbery near the intersection of Center Point Dr. and Third St. in the City of Stevens Point.
During the initial minutes of the investigation, three different individuals were stopped, and one of those was stopped twice by different law enforcement personnel. The facts leading to the officer’s reasonable suspicion to stop and investigate are quite clear:
-The severity of the incident being investigated, a person robbed at gunpoint
-Proximity to the location of the armed robbery and immediate time period after the incident
-Seeking suspect, possible accomplices, and witnesses information
-Suspect descriptors, clothing descriptors, bag, and a suspect who possibly fled on a bicycle
At 1:30 a.m. an officer observed a person riding a bicycle away from him who had caught his attention based on clothing descriptors, bag and immediate location and time to the armed robbery. That individual, Deandre Pettiford Bates, was stopped and questioned regarding this investigation.
At 2:01 a.m., Bates posted on Facebook his perception of his contact with officers and deputies. It is clear Bates’ perspective, and the officers [who] spoke with him differ in the contact. While officers are trained to investigate while keeping themselves, fellow officers, and the community safe, this can appear to be short or blunt at times.
Security footage of the contact between Bates and the officers supports the officers’ due diligence and actions in protecting the community while investigating the crime that took place.
If an officer fails to stop to investigate, they are not doing their job to a satisfactory, community expected level. The Stevens Point administration expects officers to investigate these types of situations fully. In addition, our community expects our officers to investigate and bring to a conclusion such events. In this case, within 12 hours of the incident, the suspect was taken into custody.
Here are a few more points to be taken into consideration.
-Our mission and core values are the foundation of the Stevens Point Police Department that guide us. Should an officer make a poor decision, we will thoroughly investigate and hold all parties accountable.
However, the opposite is also true. Should someone make an allegation about police that is false, we want to make sure we present the facts and clear the officers from false allegations.
-We value community partners and will meet and discuss any issue, including tough issues like racism.
Our reputation is important and officers work hard every day to gain trust from our community. We gain that trust by engaging the community at a high level, listening to our stakeholders, resolving issues with the best outcome in mind with our community partners, being transparent with all our partners, and holding ourselves accountable.
-The severity and urgency of this type of call, where a person’s life is threatened, adds to the level of risk officers and civilians are confronted at that moment.
Bates’ perspective of the contact and that of the officers who spoke with him differ. It is these very differences of perspective that have police departments and sheriff’s offices nationwide sponsoring Citizens Academies—much like the joint academy that takes place with multiple public safety agencies participating including the Stevens Point Police Department and the Portage County Sheriff’s Office.
Those seeking to have a better understanding of public safety, and the reasons why we do what we do, are invited to enroll in the upcoming academy. Please contact the Stevens Point Police Department for academy availability.
When instances such as this arise, there is a great opportunity for dialogue that creates a better understanding between citizens and public safety personnel’s perspectives that the Stevens Point Police Department welcomes.”
