Arkansas Headlines
(2007-05-10)
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Rod Bryan
Read the police report, hear interviews with Bryan and a police spokesman.
A clash between Little Rock police officers and a former gubernatorial candidate has resulted in the filing of a disorderly conduct charge. The incident was first reported by the Arkansas Times blog shortly after it occurred early Thursday morning.
Rod Bryan, a Little Rock musician and a 2006 independent candidate for governor, was riding his bicycle to work along West 7th street near the state capitol early this morning when he says two police cars drove by doing at least 60-miles an hour with no lights or sirens running. So, Bryan says, he shouted at them to turn their lights on. One officer pulled over to question Bryan, then called for backup during their conversation. Police Lieutenant Terry Hastings says Bryan was eventually booked on one count of disorderly conduct.
Bryan told FM 89 News he never became angry or abusive to the officers. The incident report simply states that Bryan "exhibited signs of dislike for law enforcement" and "told the officers how they should perform their jobs." Strangely, the police report lists Bryan as subject one, and "society" as subject two, then states that "subject one and subject two have an unknown relationship."
Bryan says he doesn't think the officers knew who he was, but were simply harrassing him because he was riding a bike instead of driving an Escalade.
Lt. Hastings says Bryan can file a complaint against any officer he feels mistreated him or violated his rights.
Bryan says he'll be in court next Thursday to fight the charge.
Click here to see the full police report on the incident.
Click one of the audio links above to hear our full interviews with Bryan and Lt. Hastings. © Copyright 2010, UALR Public Radio
