The Lansing police department has opened an investigation after a police officer was caught on video repeatedly hitting a detained 16-year-old girl in the back of a police cruiser. Community members organized a protest with assistance from Black Lives Matter-Lansing.
Black Lives Matter spoke with the family of the teen, adding their demands to a list given to the Lansing police department by BLM member Jordan Evans.
“The first two demands are the immediate firing of the two police officers involved without pay," said Evans. "And that the Lilly family is compensated for the pain caused physically and emotionally.”
The first name of the girl involved in the incident has not been released.
Other demands made by BLM: establishing a community accountability council, releasing information to the public when officers are suspected of misconduct as well as new de-escalation tactics and procedures when interacting with minors.
Lansing Police Chief Mike Yankowski said the officer involved in hitting the teenager received several cuts and scrapes and is now on paid leave.
“Anytime there’s an allegation against a member of the Lansing police organization, we take those allegations and complaints very serious,” said Yankowski during a press conference on Friday.
Chief Yankowski said he wants to stay as transparent as possible with the investigation and that they are typically completed within 90 days.
Lansing police posted the body cam videos of both officers involved in the incident on YouTube.
