DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – After Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry raised “concerns” following his wife being pulled over this week, the police chief took to social media to defend his department.
Henry posted to Facebook early Thursday, announcing that his wife had been stopped by three law enforcement officers along Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard.
According to Henry, the traffic stop appeared to be “frivolous,” with his wife — Stephanie Pasley-Henry — being subjected to a sobriety test after rolling over a white line.
“But what troubles me most is that for many in that neighborhood, this is routine,” he wrote. “That is the larger issue. Over policing in Black and Brown communities is real. When multiple units respond to minor or questionable stops, it creates unnecessary tension and increases the risk of escalation.”
In response, Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young posted his own statement, where he addressed the mayor’s claims.
Young explained that two officers had been assigned together as part of a training program. Meanwhile, the deputy had already been in the area at a nearby restaurant, and he only briefly stopped by to check on the other officers.
The police chief also announced that a review of the incident found that no department policies had been violated.
Furthermore, Young argued that local residents had complained about issues like speeding, which is why he directed officers to patrol that area more frequently.
“Describing that incident as over-policing mischaracterizes standard training structure and common officer safety practices,” Young said.
Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood released body-camera footage of the traffic stop, which shows exactly what happened.
During the incident, an officer mentions Pasley-Henry had been pulled over for “straddling the line.”
“She came out of one of the parking lots over here, made an improper turn... She didn’t go into the outside lane. She tried to make it to the inside lane,” a second officer says. “She kind of straddled the white line.”
However, the first officer can be heard saying that he “didn’t smell anything,” and that “her eyes looked OK,” but she was “speaking a little weird.”
“It’s weird,” the other officer continues. “She’s very slow about whatever. She’s a dean.”
Due to that “indicator,” police were seen putting her through a sobriety test, which she managed to clear. She was ultimately given a warning and released.
Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood also commented on the controversy, saying he put his “full support” behind Police Chief Young and the Daytona Beach Police Department.