Yesterday we told you WJBK reporter M.L. Elrick was roughed up by police after attempting to interview City Council president pro tem George Cushingberry, Jr. at a council meeting.
Today we learned Detroit Police have launched a formal investigation into the incident.
Police Chief James Craig said Elrick’s run-in with a supervisor and an officer assigned to City Council protection duty appeared to be a use of force, but not an excessive use of force. He also said the Sergeant involved has been moved from the executive protection detail.
“The reporter, while attempting to force an interview, blocked President Pro Tem Cushingberry’s path and the unit responded by forcing a protective space allowing the councilman to proceed to his seat,” City Council president Brenda Jones said in a statement, according to The Detroit Free Press. “Due to the nature of the reporter’s aggressive behavior, Sgt. Robert Mitchell, the head of the unit, contacted his superior and filed an incident report. This incident is under investigation and I have, and will not have, any further comment on this incident.”
The Free Press reports “Earlier this month, Cushingberry was found with alcohol and marijuana in his car during a traffic stop earlier this month.”