PORTSMOUTH, Va. - Police released body camera footage on Friday they say shows officers did not delete a woman's cell phone video of an arrest, despite her claims.
"At no time did our officers delete any videos," said Portsmouth Police Chief Tonya Chapman.
The incident happened on April 30th at the London Oaks Apartments. Off-duty officers were working security at the apartments when they went up to a man playing loud music in a car. According to police, playing loud music like that is against the apartment complex's rules.
Officers then say the man gave them false information, so they asked him to step out of the car. As officers were attempting to detain him, they say the man fought them. Marquis Granger was arrested and charged with two counts of assault on a law enforcement officer.
Marquis Granger
During the arrest, several neighbors and people gathered around to see what was happening. One of them was Tiara Bailey, who started recording the incident on her cell phone.
The video shows officers yelling at people to "leave now." One officer is shown cursing at people. Chief Chapman says the officer violated department policy by cursing, but didn't say if the officer was disciplined.
Bailey says she recorded a second video that showed police dragging and beating Granger, but claimed police deleted it.
"[An officer] deleted my video," she told NewsChannel 3 on May 1.
On Friday, Chief Chapman showed reporters body camera video she says contradicts Bailey's claims.
"It's important for me to set the record straight, to defend my officers, and to let the public know," said Chief Chapman.
Chapman said she is not able to comment on Granger's arrest, but says officers used a baton, a taser and pepper spray to try to subdue him. She says both officers were hurt. Video of the arrest was blurred out when shown to reporters.
Bailey came to the department's professional standards unit on Monday, according to Chapman. Officers gave her a complaint form, which she has not filed. Granger also has not filed a complaint, according to police.
When NewsChannel 3 reporter Brendan Ponton called Bailey on Friday, she hung up. She sent him a text message shortly after saying, "Those officers know what happened. I don't care what they say. Have a blessed day." She also wrote officers could contact her lawyer.
