NEW ORLEANS — An incident between a NOPD officer and an L.B. Landry student has gone viral on social media, according to the student’s mother, Tiffany Jones.
Jones says her 18-year-old son, Brandon Mitchell, was marching with the L.B. Landry band on the Muses parade route Thursday evening.
Mitchell and the band were near St. Charles and Canal Street, when the band came to an abrupt stop, Jones said.
Video shot by a reveler shows an NOPD officer back up and bump into Mitchell.
“Once he bumped into my son, that’s when he turned around and shoved him. My son immediately reacted, but he didn’t react physically, but he did say, ‘Hey what’s your problem?’” Jones said.
The officer shoved Mitchell and tried to provoke him, but he was never physical, Jones said.
Soon after, OPSO deputies and Mitchell’s friend and bandmate are seen intervening with the two men.
“As my son was continuing to try and get some kind of response from the police officer, he turned his back to him as if he didn’t just physically assault him and push him,” Jones said.
Jones said her son didn’t tell her about the incident until Saturday afternoon.
On Sunday, NOPD told WWL Louisiana its Public Integrity Bureau (PIB) is investigating the incident.
According to the Office of the Independent Police Monitor, the officer was immediately taken off his parade route assignment.
“The Office of the Independent Police Monitor is very concerned by the footage of what occurred to your son. We will monitor to ensure the investigation is initiated and conducted according to NOPD policy,” IPM said in a comment to Jones on Instagram.
Sunday night, the Office of the Independent Police Monitor released a statement on the matter.
“The Office of the Independent Police Monitor (OIPM) has received and viewed the currently available footage of the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) officer at the parade route appearing to push a student in a marching band. Upon review, the OIPM was immediately concerned by the behavior of the officer and promptly spoke with NOPD leadership. The OIPM understands the public’s frustration and disappointment. The OIPM can confirm the NOPD has taken immediate action including initiating a misconduct investigation and removing the officer from that assignment. In the coming days, the OIPM will be working with NOPD leadership to determine how to best move forward to address community concerns and hopefully work directly with the affected individuals and school. The OIPM cannot comment on any aspect of the pending investigation or the identity of the accused officer at this time.”
Jones said she will be filing a formal complaint with the PIB on Monday and considering legal action.
Mitchell is a senior and the leader of his mellophone section. He was recently crowned homecoming king, Jones said.
"I want a public apology because he embarrassed my son," Jones said.
Algiers Charter Association also commented on the incident.
"We at Algiers Charter are deeply disappointed by the incident captured in the video, depicting a New Orleans Police Department Officer pushing an L. B. Landry Student and member of the Marching "Pride of Algiers" Band Unit. However, we commend our students for their restraint and refusal to engage in negative behavior," Algiers Charter said in a statement released late Sunday night.
"This incident underscores the importance of the conflict resolution lessons we impart to our students. Respect for authority and appropriate conduct remain core values we instill in our students. Behavior like that of the New Orleans Police Department Officer does not reflect the standards we expect from law enforcement officers, nor is it the conduct we anticipate our young students to encounter from authorities."
"Algiers Charter has been notified that the New Orleans Police Department Public Integrity Bureau has initiated an investigation regarding this matter. The New Orleans Police Department has assured the Algiers Charter organization and L. B. Landry High School that the proper process to resolve this matter will be followed."
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