The East Lansing Police Department (ELPD) will not be releasing body-worn camera footage taken during a use of force incident outside of Harper’s Restaurant and Brewpub on Aug. 2, according to a City of East Lansing news release on Friday.
While ELPD’s Police Chief Jennifer Brown recognizes “the community’s ongoing interest” in the case, ELPD has decided to not fulfill the public’s requests for body-worn camera footage to prevent "jeopardizing the legal process.”
“ELPD will release the body-worn camera footage and any other relevant material when doing so does not undermine the ongoing legal process or an individual’s rights,” Brown said in Friday’s statement.
The use of force incident refers to ELPD's attempts to restrain Myana Collins, 20, during the early morning hours of Aug. 2.
Collins was punched several times by a police officer while lying face down on the ground, handcuffed and restrained at the legs, as seen in a video circulated on social media.
During the resulting investigation, one officer was placed on paid administrative leave, according to a news release on Aug. 3.
As of Friday, the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office has finalized its review of the incident and has “declined to authorize felony charges.” The case has been given back to the City of East Lansing’s Attorney Office for “further review and possible charges.”
