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Rapid Response Alert - Troy, AL

M.O.B.B. United for Social Change Alarmed at Habitual Use of Force by Troy PD

 

In Troy, AL, police officers have again displayed unnecessary use of force in issuing an arrest. On Dec. 23, 2017, 17 year old Ulysses Wilkerson was chased by police and seriously injured after police say he went for his waistband. The teenager was seen coming from behind a business in downtown Troy when approached by officers. He fled in fear and the officers gave chase. Despite Mr. Wilkerson complying with officers once apprehended, he suffered a cracked eye socket and a severe brain injury at the hands of the officers.

M.O.B.B. United for Social Change commends Mayor Jason Reeves and Chief of Police Randall Barr for promptly calling for an outside, independent investigation of the incident. We demand that the investigation be thorough and transparent with results released to the public upon completion. We also want to acknowledge that Pike County District Attorney Tom Anderson removed himself from the investigation to allow an independent prosecutor to take over the investigation.

However, we are concerned that the officer involved in this case, Brandon Hicks, already has a Civil Rights case pending against him for use of force in the Troy jail. It is questionable judgment on the part of the Troy Police Department to continue to allow an officer involved in an excessive use of force case to continue to patrol the streets. Perhaps the arrest of Mr. Wilkerson would have been completed without such significant injury had Officer Hicks not been on patrol.

To ensure transparency in this investigation, we ask that the Troy police department immediately release the officers' body and dash camera footage to the family of Mr. Wilkerson and their attorneys. M.O.B.B. United for Social Change will closely monitor this case to hold the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation accountable for a thorough investigation of this incident.

 

Call To Action

#ProtectThem by commending the Mayor, Chief of Police and District Attorney for a swift response and by demanding release of body and dash cam video to the family of Mr. Wilkerson and their attorney Benjamin Crump.

Please contact the officials below and state the following:

 

    • Mayor Jason Reeves, [email protected], and Police Chief Randal Barr, [email protected]
      • Thank him for quickly calling for an independent investigation in this case and request that he ensure the dash and body cam video be released to Mr. Wilkerson’s family and their attorney
      • Also demand that Officer Brandon Hicks be terminated from duty as an officer with the Troy PD

 

    • Attorney General Steve Marshall 1-334-242-7300 or 1-334-242-7491 and Twitter @AGSteveMarshall
      • Demand that the Attorney General ensure the release of the dash and body camera footage to Mr. Wilkerson’s family and attorney

 

 

 

 

M.O.B.B. United for Social Change, Inc. is a nationwide coalition of moms who are dedicated to making the world a safer place for Black boys and men by eradicating harassment, brutality and unwarranted use of deadly force by law enforcement against our sons. The group was born out of frustration over the deaths of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile in Minnesota and numerous other innocent Black boys and men killed by police before and after them. It has grown into a mobilized force of moms determined to make a difference. We aim to influence both policy and perception that impact how Black boys and men are treated by law enforcement.