Newly released police bodycam footage raises serious doubts about a Minnesota lawmaker’s claim that he was pulled over and ticketed by cops for “driving while black.” This by Jorge Fitz-Gibbon on nypost.com.
The police now want an apology. And I say ‘Rightfully so.’ Also, I believe our elected officials should be held to a higher standard. Can you imagine how many now holding office would be forced to resign if standards were firmly established and maintained?
Minnesota state Rep. John Thompson claims he was racially profiled and pulled over on July 4th
The video, released by St. Paul police, shows state Rep. John Thompson after he was pulled over around 1:20 a.m. on the 4th of July.
“Why in such a hurry?” the cop asks Thompson.
“I don’t think I took off like a bat out of hell,” Thompson responds on the video, which was published by bringmethenews.com.
“I just drove off,” the lawmaker said. “I’m a state representative in this district right now.
“With a Wisconsin license?” the officer asks.
“Yes, with a Wisconsin license,” Thompson said. “I’m state Representative John Thompson.”
The cop then returns to his squad car and runs a check on Thompson’s license.
After 14 minutes, the unnamed officer returns to Thompson and tells him his license in Minnesota is suspended, the footage shows.
The state rep shakes his head, but the officer tells him, “That’s what the computer says. If it’s wrong, you’ll have to deal with DVS,” — the Department of Vehicle Services.
Thompson then asks the cop why he was pulled over.
“Rather than taking responsibility for his own decisions and actions, he attempted to deflect, cast aspersions, and deny any wrongdoing,” the chief said.
Thompson did not respond to numerous requests for comment from KSTP.
The outlet said Thompson has never had a Minnesota driver’s license and said his “driving privileges” were suspended in 2019 due to unpaid child support.
Thank you and best wishes to the men and women in Blue. Too often the negative tales about law enforcement make the news. However, it is reports like this that help many of us remain cognizant of the importance of accepting responsibility and striving to live to a higher standard. How many of you reading this agree that state Rep. John Thompson will chalk this up as a valuable lesson learned and settle into representing his constituents in an outstanding manner?
