Martese Johnson: Virginia Gov. McAuliffe Orders ABC Officers be Retrained on Use of Force
ByIn responding to the bloody arrest of a black University of Virginia (UVA) student, Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) has mandated the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) police force undergo retraining.
According to the Washington Post, McAuliffe's executive order requires officers to complete courses on race relations, encountering young people and the use of force. The order also hopes to achieve better "collaboration" and "communication" between the ABC, universities and local law enforcement.
ABC officers reprimanded Martese Johnson, 20, last week when he was apparently trying to gain entry to a local pub. After his arrest, photos and video showing him on the ground with his face covered in blood went viral. No video captured what led to Johnson's injury, but McAuliffe ordered an investigation into the matter shortly after.
Those close to Johnson told news outlets the UVA junior does not own a fake ID, contradicting certain reports. His roommate previously told ABC News he was trying to get into the bar with his real ID, something many students do.
The ABC officers charged Johnson with public intoxication, resisting arrest and obstructing justice, Reuters reported. He is expected to appear Thursday in Charlottesville General District Court at a hearing related to the charges, which Johnson's attorney has stated he will be fighting. The prosecution is also reportedly going to seek a delay of trial pending the results of the investigation.
The Charlottesville ABC made headlines in 2013, Reuters noted, when undercover agents arrested a sorority member. The agents thought she had bought a case of beer that turned out to be sparkling water. Startled by the agents converging on her, the student got in her car and fled. She later filed a lawsuit and won a settlement reportedly worth $200,000.
"The safety and security of our students will always be my primary concern, and every member of our community should feel safe from the threat of bodily harm and other forms of violence," UVA President Teresa Sullivan said in a statement last week. "Today, as UVa students, faculty, and staff who share a set of deeply held values, we stand unified in our commitment to seeking the truth about this incident. And we stand united in our belief that equal treatment and equal justice are among our fundamental rights under the law."