During the public comment portion of Mansfield City Council meetings, members and the administration listen, but generally don’t respond to comments.
Mayor Jodie Perry made an exception at the July 21 city council meeting.
The Rev. Jameelah O’Neal of the Greater Mitchell Chapel AME Church was the only speaker at Tuesday’s meeting. She spoke about a case of alleged police brutality involving a May 20 traffic stop.
Calvin Caldwell was a passenger in a pickup truck when police stopped the vehicle at West Fifth and North Main streets. Caldwell struggled with a city police officer and was left with a bloodied face, as shown on bodycam video.
According to the police report, Caldwell punched the officer first.
O’Neal said she felt “sorrow” about the video she watched.
“This has deeply shaken myself, as well as other members,” she said. “As a mother of two sons, there is no way that I could not say something.
“What pains me the most is the silence from our city’s leadership. I have not heard any type of comment or response. Choose a side of right, which says we don’t agree with police brutality.”
Before the meeting adjourned, Perry said she would comment, pointing out that it “always feels very awkward” when city officials listen to residents but don’t respond to their concerns.
“You’re obviously speaking very passionately from your heart,” Perry said to O’Neal. “We will be making more comments. Part of why we haven’t said anything yet is certainly to let the process play out.
“We have a very thorough investigation process when complaints are made through the public. In the aftermath of this, we did have a meeting with members of the NAACP and MIMA (Mansfield Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance).”
While legalities prevented Perry from saying more, she shared that city police officers are going through more training annually, with topics including de-escalation and implicit bias. The mayor credited the state with allocating more money.
Police also have received training on how to deal with resistance to arrest.
“Those numbers have gone down even though our arrest counts have gone up in the last five years,” Perry said.
She added she would be happy to meet with O’Neal and any of her parishioners.
“The last thing you want to do is build those relationships in a time of crisis,” Perry said.
She said she decided to address O’Neal’s comments to let the reverend know she was concerned.
After the meeting, Perry said the investigation into the May 20 traffic stop was complete and would be heading to the administration soon.
Also Tuesday, the News Journal reported the FBI takedown of an alleged organized drug trafficking ring involving 16 Mansfield residents, including Caldwell and centering on his business, the New Millennium Car Wash.
Reach Mark Caudill at 419-521-7219 or via X at @MarkCau32059251.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield mayor responds to incident involving city police officer
Reporting by Mark Caudill, Mansfield News Journal / Mansfield News Journal
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By Mark Caudill, Mansfield News Journal | USA TODAY Network
