The Pennsylvania State Trooper who arrested two LGBTQ+ leaders, Celena Morrison and Darius McLean, during a traffic stop in Philadelphia has been let go by the Pennsylvania State Police. The trooper, who has not been named, is no longer employed by the agency, though it is unclear whether he was fired or left the job voluntarily. The incident occurred in March on an elevated highway in the city and was partially captured on video. Morrison, who heads the city’s Office of LGBT Affairs, and McLean, who runs an LGBTQ+ community center, were detained for about 12 hours after the arrest.
The arrests of Morrison and McLean led to public outcry, with Mayor Cherelle Parker expressing concern over the exchange between the trooper and the Black couple. The Pennsylvania State Troopers Association criticized the state police for not supporting the trooper, stating that the decision to let him go was “reprehensible.” The union president, Stephen Polishan, emphasized that the young trooper, who had only been on the job for six months, deserved better treatment from the department.
Lawyer Kevin Mincey, who represents the couple, is preparing to file a lawsuit against the state police and the trooper on their behalf. The couple’s legal team has raised questions about the reasons for the traffic stop, claiming that the trooper did not have enough time to run the registration before pulling Morrison over. In the video captured by Morrison, McLean can be heard expressing his belief that the stop was racially motivated, while the trooper denies it and proceeds to handcuff both individuals.
The video footage of the traffic stop shows the trooper handcuffing McLean on the shoulder of the highway before moving to arrest Morrison. The trooper claims he stopped Morrison for tailgating and not having her lights on, but the couple’s lawyers dispute the justification for the stop. Morrison’s cellphone video of the incident was cut short when the trooper knocked the phone from her hand. The couple’s lawyers have also highlighted the emotional toll of the arrest, with McLean expressing his belief that the stop was due to his race.
Overall, the incident involving the arrest of Celena Morrison and Darius McLean by a Pennsylvania State Trooper in Philadelphia has sparked controversy and raised concerns about racial profiling and police conduct. The decision to let go of the trooper involved has been met with criticism from the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association, while the couple’s legal team prepares to take action against the state police and the trooper. The case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by marginalized communities in interactions with law enforcement and underscores the importance of holding officers accountable for their actions.
