North Carolina PBA responds to the Shelby arrest incident

Press release | North Carolina Police Benevolent Association

The North Carolina Police Benevolent Association, a division of the Southern States Police Benevolent Association, is the largest law enforcement association in the state, representing law enforcement officers through legal, legislative and advocacy services.

We are aware of the video circulating regarding the May 29 arrest incident in Shelby, North Carolina. Like many members of the public, we have viewed the video and understand why it has generated concern and strong reactions.

Every allegation of misconduct should be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. The integrity of the justice system depends upon decisions being based on a complete and objective review of all available facts and evidence.

What the public has largely seen is a video. What the public has not seen is the full context surrounding the incident, the information known to the officer at the time, the events leading up to the encounter and other facts that may ultimately be relevant to a fair evaluation of the officer's actions. As with many high-profile incidents, the complete picture is often more complex than what can be captured in a brief video clip.

The United States Supreme Court has long recognized that law enforcement officers are often required to make split-second decisions in circumstances that are tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving. For that reason, use-of-force incidents must be evaluated based upon the totality of the circumstances confronting the officer at the time rather than through hindsight after the event has concluded.

The NCPBA believes that accountability and due process are complementary principles, not competing ones. We support a full, fair and impartial review of this incident and believe that any determination regarding the officer's actions should be based upon all available evidence, not solely upon public reaction to a video. We respectfully ask the public, media and community leaders to allow the investigative and judicial processes to run their course and to reserve final judgment until all the facts have been presented.

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The North Carolina Police Benevolent Association is a division of the Southern States Police Benevolent Association, a not-for-profit professional organization dedicated to improving the law enforcement profession. As the largest law enforcement association in North Carolina, the North Carolina PBA has been active in North Carolina for over 30 years. PBA members are full-time or retired employees of the various federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement and correctional agencies in North Carolina.  This professional association, funded by membership dues, provides legal, legislative, disciplinary and other representation to member officers as well as an accidental death benefit to members’ beneficiaries.  For more information, please visit our website at www.ncpba.org.  

The Shelby Independent