These police abuse stories are starting to get comical. It’s already trivial that you can get arrested for driving while black. Some police officers think a black man driving in a car is suspicious enough to warrant pulling over and even approaching with a gun. But, things start to get crazy when you can’t even walk while being black. Yes, jaywalking is against the law but it’s enough to get you put in jail. I guess for officer J.A. Bolden it is.

Devonte Shipman was minding his business when he and his friend walked against a light. A police officer stopped him and started to reprimand him. When Shipman was told what he did wrong he immediately apologized. However, Bolden ordered him over to his police car. Shipman simply asked him why and what he was in trouble for. Bolden then threatens to take him to jail for threatening an officer. Wait, what?

It gets crazier. Shipman eventually walks towards the car and the officer asks him for ID. Shipman says he doesn’t have it and Bolden proceeds to say, “In the state of Florida, you have to have an ID card on you identifying who you are or I can detain you for seven hours until I figure out who you are.” That aforementioned quote would be true if Shipman was riding in a vehicle. According to the Huffington Post, the sheriff’s office of Jacksonville told Jacksonville.com that Shipman was given a citation for violating Florida statute 322.15(1) but it would only apply if he was driving.

Shipman believes Bolden pushed the issue too far. He told FirstCoastNews that he felt as if the officer was taunting him instead of letting him off with a warning for something that barely was an obstruction of justice. Shipman eventually was given a citation for failing to obey a pedestrian control signal, a $62.50 fine, and drivers license not carried/exhibited on demand (322.15), a $136 fine. Shipman plans to fight this charge in court. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s office said that they are not investigating Shipman at this time.

I’m glad this ended amicably. Shipman could very well have been shot for “walking while black”.

Sources

1. Florida Cop Threatens Black Man With Jail For Walking Without ID, Huffington Post