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Update, 12:02 p.m. Tuesday: Chief Stacy Brackens of the Detroit Public Schools Police Department issues a statement today:
"The incident is being thoroughly investigated by the Detroit Public Schools Police Department. Appropriate action will be taken in concert with the findings of the investigation."
Original article Monday:
A video shows an unidentified Detroit Public Schools police officer kicking the hand of a protester writing a sidewalk chalk message Monday in front of the Fisher Building as teachers protested inadequate district funding.
The unidentified woman was writing: "Audit Snyder's DPS EAA."
The video is posted on the Facebook page of Detroit Free Press photographer Mandi Wright, but is in a private setting and only available to people connected to her Facebook page.
The angry officer confronts the demonstrator. As he tries to intimidate her, he asks: "You need to see my badge?
He then partially unzips his coat to display a police badge around his neck. He then continues to get in her face and says: "I don't appreciate you writing on the ground. . . . Don't you know not to do that?"
There's chanting in the background and it's difficult to hear on the video what the woman says, but it sounds like she mentions something about "chalk" and appears to say something about "pensions."
She finally walks away and says: "Have a good day."
The police chief of the Detroit Public Schools Department could not be reached by phone. A message was left with a school spokesperson. The department is separate from the Detroit Police Department.
Deadline Detroit contacted Ivy Bailey, the teachers union's interim president, who said she was unaware of the incident or video.
