Community Wants Other Officers Punished Over Traffic Stop Beating In Inkster

INKSTER (WWJ/AP) - Residents in Inkster are calling for the disciplining or dismissal of any officer who was present during the beating and arrest of a motorist early this year.

About 100 people attended a special meeting of the Inkster City Council earlier this week, where the Jan. 28 police beating of Floyd Dent was discussed.

The incident came to light in March, when a television station aired police dashcam video that showed two officers haul the 57-year-old Dent from his car during a traffic stop. While Dent was on the ground, one of the officers, William Melendez, can be seen repeatedly punching him in the forehead. Dent was bloody when he stood up.

Melendez, who has denied any wrongdoing, was fired and has been charged with assault. The city's police chief, Vicki Yost, resigned two days after Melendez was charged.

Some of those at the meeting said any other officers who were involved in the beating and arrest should be fired or placed on leave. The video shows several officers were present at a certain point during the arrest.

[Inkster Police Chief Resigns Amid Charges Of Misconduct, Abuse Within The Department]

Charges against Dent, including resisting arrest and possession of drugs, were dropped. Dent, who was at the meeting, said police planted drugs in his car.

Mayor Hilliard Hampton II said the city would "do the right thing" after a full internal investigation, a view supported by City Manager Richard Marsh.

"If disciplinary action is recommended, I will either support that or go higher than what they're requesting," Marsh said. "If they are not requesting disciplinary action, I can override that."

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said a news conference last week that the evidence has been thoroughly reviewed and no further charges would be brought in the case.

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