The Chicago Police Department and Illinois State Police have dropped all charges against CBS News campaign reporter Sopan Deb, who was detained, cuffed and thrown into a police van during his coverage of the protests outside a Donald Trump event last Friday. The police sent this statement to CBS News today:
While this incident was very dynamic and troopers and officers were forced to make split-second decisions in the interest of public safety of demonstrators and police officers, we have collectively decided to drop the administrative charges in this case. This decision was made after a methodical review of the physical evidence including video and interviewing both troopers and police officers involved in the incident.
The Trump campaign cancelled the rally over security concerns. Deb, who was back on the trail covering the campaign Saturday, told CBS what happened. Adds CBS News svp Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews, “It was a chaotic scene and, as seen in video we aired, there is no indication that Sopan did anything to warrant his detention. We are pleased that the authorities have drawn the same conclusion and dismissed the charges. Best of all, Sopan is back to work and back on the campaign trail.”
I am overwhelmed by the support of colleagues, both inside CBS and out. Additionally, people I have never met have shown so much kindness.
— Sopan Deb (@SopanDeb) March 17, 2016