UPDATE: Several hours after this letter was published Tuesday, Chief Hyatt contacted The Baltimore Spectator assuring a thorough investigation. Hyatt also released a statement which can be seen below the original letter.
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"Your silence gives consent."
~ Plato
Chief Hyatt;
It is painfully obvious to anyone who saw the arrest of 76-year-old Rena Mellerson, that something went very wrong last Friday in Gwynn Oak.
There is absolutely no indication of the situation warranting the sort of heavy handed brutality towards a senior citizen, as exhibited by the unidentified (we'll figure out who he is) responding officer, seen on cellphone video obtained by Jayne Miller and the WBAL I-Team. It was the epitome of "excessive force."
If Baltimore County Police officers are unable to detain a compliant, elderly woman without tossing her to the ground like a rag doll in front her own house, then thie department has bigger issues than any of us have realized.
Your silence on such a serious matter is both telling and disturbing. The community has a
right to hear from the top cop that this incident is being taken seriously and is under review, with a promise of full disclosure and transparency upon conclusion.
These incidents only serve to further the disconnect and distrust between the Black community and police. When this happens we all lose. Perhaps you're ok with that?
You served as a high ranking commander in the Baltimore Police Department for many years. You were in a position of leadership while the department went through some of the worse criminal corruption cases in the history of policing in the United States. In short, officers were permitted to violate their oath and abuse the public trust under your watch. You were silent then. You've been silent since. And you're silent now.
The city of Baltimore and its police department has suffered permanent and irreparable damage due to the actions of criminal cops. Criminal cops under YOUR command.
Do the citizens of Baltimore County and the hard working, upstanding men and women of the Baltimore County Police have the same to look forward to now that you're in charge? Or do you desire to be a change agent, ushering in a new era of increased professionalism, better accountability, improved training and a higher standard of integrity?
Staying quiet and pretending this isn't a big deal while wishfully hoping the whole thing blows over and fades away isn't strategy. It's cowardice. You're not a coward are you Chief? We certainly hope not. In fact we don't believe so.
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CHIEF HYATT'S STATEMENT RESPONDING TO COMMUNITY CONCERNS
"A video that recorded a portion of an interaction between Baltimore County Police Department officers and two individuals Friday afternoon has garnered public attention and concern. The video is unsettling to watch.
"I have ordered a thorough investigation of the incident in its entirety. Part of the review includes viewing body-worn camera footage of the entire incident, along with interview and review of other documentation. Upon completion of this expedited investigation, the body-worn footage will be released.
"I thank the individual who taped the incident - our residents are important partners in our communities. We hold our officers t a high standard of accountability. Maintaining the trust of those who live, work and visit Baltimore County is paramount as we continue to work together to keep communities safe."
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"As long as I continue to breathe, as long as there's injustice in this world, I will use the voice that God has given me to speak against it."