Chicago Police Officer Aggressively Manhandles Black Woman Walking Dog

By Kelton Brooks Published: August 31, 2021

Chicago Police Officer Aggressively Manhandles Black Woman Walking Dog

A Chicago police officer blocks the road to the Adler Planetarium along Lake Michigan Thursday, March 26, 2020, in Chicago. On Thursday morning, Chicago Police began turning joggers and others away from the city's lakefront trails amid fears of the spread of the coronavirus, hours after Mayor Lori Lightfoot threatened to shut them down if people would not stop crowding the areas. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

By: Kelton Brooks

A viral video showed a Chicago police officer aggressively restraining a Black woman who was walking her dog at North Avenue Beach on Monday.

The woman, who was identified as Nikkita Brown, said she was leaving the beach attended by multiple people, but the officer chose to address her. The unmasked officer ordered Brown to leave and as she was leaving, she asked the officer to stay 6 feet away from her because of her concerns about COVID-19.

Nikkita Brown takes her dog for a late night lakefront walk. She is approached by a Chicago police officer. Look what happens next. . . pic.twitter.com/frffjfrabo

— Don Lewis (@DonLew87) August 30, 2021

Brown’s attorney, Keenan Saulter said the officer “ignored this request and mocked it.”

Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot also commented on the viral video via Twitter, stating, “I am deeply concerned by what is depicted on the lakefront beach in that video.”

I am deeply concerned by what is depicted on the lakefront beach in that video.

I am aware of the incident and it is currently under investigation.

— Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) August 30, 2021

Saulter said the conduct by the officer is “an obvious case of racial profiling.”

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown addressed the disturbing video during a news conference Monday morning.

“What we do know is there was some closure of the beach, apparently, that preceded this interaction,” said Superintendent David Brown. “That is the extent of what we know. We don’t have an arrest apparently by this officer and don’t fully understand because we have not interviewed this officer and COPA will be in charge of that interview. I believe COPA has reached out to the person you see on video walking the dog that had a struggle with the officer. I believe they are initiating that conversation.”