Utah deputy twirling lasso in search for Black man prompts calls for training, accountability

GRAND COUNTY, Utah – As a Grand County sheriff’s deputy searches for a shoplifting suspect in July, a rope repeatedly pops into view of her physique digicam, typically coiled in her hand and different occasions twirling within the air forward of her.   

The bizarre sight attracts questions from observers in Moab, and deputy Amanda Edwards solutions them in an upbeat tone, telling them she’s in search of an African American man.  

“Are you going to lasso him?” one observer asks.  

“That was my plan, man,” the deputy responds within the video. “I imply, it’s higher than operating, proper?”  

Edwards later wrote in a report that she “replied to every particular person in a joking method” and didn’t truly anticipate finding the person on July 10, based on paperwork KSL obtained via a public data request.  

Physique digicam footage reveals sheriff’s deputy Amanda Edwards carrying a lasso as she searches for a Black man in July 2022.

Nonetheless, advocates inside Utah’s Black group instructed KSL the video evokes the nation’s historical past of white legislation enforcers apprehending women and men who escaped slavery, utilizing ropes and whips to take action. The video calls to thoughts the widespread lynchings of Black males named as suspects in crimes, they mentioned, whether or not carried out by legislation enforcers or others.  

‘This isn’t a rodeo’ 

The deputy was amongst a number of members of legislation enforcement in search of the homeless man suspected of stealing sun shades from a present store on Moab’s Essential Road in July. They by no means caught as much as him, and that’s lucky, mentioned Jeanetta Williams, president of the NAACP’s Salt Lake department.  

Jeanetta Williams, president of the Salt Lake department of the NAACP reacts to video of a deputy twirling a lasso whereas trying to find a Black man.  (Ken Fall/KSL TV)

Any black guests or residents who got here throughout the deputy “might actually have a coronary heart assault, as a result of they might flash again to the lynchings that went on,” Williams mentioned. “This isn’t a rodeo, and that is no strategy to apprehend a human being.”  

Rae Duckworth, working chairperson of Black Lives Matter Utah, agreed.  

Rae Duckworth with Black Lives Matter Utah reacts to video of a deputy twirling a lasso whereas trying to find a Black man. (Ken Fall/KSL TV)

Advertisement

“This triggers generational trauma for me,” Duckworth mentioned via tears as she watched the video. “That’s what slave patrol does. And we’re in 2022. And that’s a cushty slave patroller in my state.”  

An inquiry from the Moab Solar Information, which printed an image of Edwards carrying the rope — coupled with data from fellow sheriff’s workers — led to an inner investigation, Sheriff Steven White instructed KSL. 

Grand County Sheriff Steven White is pictured outdoors his workplace in Moab. (Tanner Siegworth)

The deputy confronted self-discipline because of this, White confirmed, however he declined to offer any particulars. The workplace hasn’t but responded to KSL’s request for copies of the disciplinary data.   

“I don’t take that as joking,” White mentioned of his deputy’s habits. “It’s about professionalism. You deal with everyone the identical. You deal with everyone professionally. That’s the way in which it ought to be.” 

White mentioned his deputy took duty for her actions that day, which he believes weren’t racially motivated.  

“That’s been a part of the investigation,” he mentioned, “and there’s no indications of any of that.”  

Deputies within the rural county carry ropes within the occasion they should spherical up stray livestock, tie down a load to their vehicles or rescue folks in emergencies like floods, White mentioned.   

“That was not an permitted apprehension software,” the sheriff mentioned. “It shouldn’t have been introduced out.”  

Edwards didn’t reply to requests for interviews.  

Grand County is residence to about 9,600 folks. About 89% are white, 5% are American Indian and Alaska Native, and simply 1% are Black, based on census figures.  

White mentioned he doesn’t have any Black deputies and declined to speak additional in regards to the racial and ethnic make-up of his division.  

‘Higher than a Taser’ 

Edwards’ search on July 10 lasted about 35 minutes, with video exhibiting her leaping atop trash cans to look over a fence, pacing round a parking zone and whistling the concord of “Tom’s Diner” by Suzanne Vega at occasions throughout her pursuit.   

She comes throughout a fellow deputy in her search, who tells her, “That’s going to look actually unhealthy, in the event you use that.”  

“Higher than a Taser,” Edwards responds.  

At one level, as she passes by a Utah Freeway Patrol trooper, Edwards says, “I’ve been ready for this second for fairly a while.”  

“I’ll nook him so you may rope him,” the trooper responds.  

“Respect it,” Edwards replies. “We simply must get him on the run, like, ‘run, now.’”  

After Edwards concludes her search, she steps right into a colleague’s truck, saying, “Dude, so many individuals took photos of me with my rope. I’m like, ‘Oh my God, please don’t say unhealthy issues.’ What are they going to say? It’s not like I (expletive) anyone up with it.”  

‘That is post-George Floyd’ 

Utah’s police academy teaches cadets to acknowledge the “historical past of the connection between communities of coloration and legislation enforcement,” based on a replica of Peace Officer Requirements and Coaching (POST) curriculum KSL obtained via a public data request.  

Jim Crow legal guidelines are among the many course subjects, together with the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, which required federal marshals to assist return previously enslaved folks to plantation house owners, even when they have been dwelling in free states.   

The deputy’s physique digicam video, nonetheless, highlights a necessity for extra coaching, Williams mentioned, together with a reprimand.  

“I can’t see anyone watching it and saying they don’t see an issue with it, particularly once they know the historical past of, you already know, the rope, the lynching of African Individuals, all of that,” Williams mentioned.  

Duckworth and Mario Mathis, additionally an organizer with Black Lives Matter, mentioned they consider stronger penalties are wanted.   

Mario Mathis with Black Lives Matter Utah talks about policing and communities of coloration. (Ken Fall/KSL TV)

“In case you don’t know that you simply, as a white girl, choosing up a rope to go after a Black man, is the mistaken rattling factor to do, you have to be fired,” Mathis mentioned.  

He mentioned it’s troubling Edwards’ colleagues don’t inform her to place away the rope. And he believes the video alerts an absence of progress after many believed 2020 to be a nationwide looking on racial injustice.  

“That is post-George Floyd,” Mathis mentioned. “That’s when white folks in America seemingly awakened and realized that there was a disconnect in the way in which that law enforcement officials deal with Black folks and other people of coloration, versus white folks.” 

The scene captured by the deputy’s physique digicam is amongst different current examples drawing criticism for his or her ties to troubling U.S. historical past.  

In 2019, physique digicam footage captured white police on horseback in Galveston, Texas main a Black man down metropolis streets, whereas acknowledging the show would look unhealthy.  

Additionally in Texas, photos of Border Patrol corralling Haitian migrants final yr confirmed some brokers on horseback waving reins, prompting an investigation by the Division of Homeland Safety.  

‘An enormous studying second’ 

The person police have been trying to find in Moab was elusive, irritating police, mentioned Sara Melnicoff, who helps the city’s homeless discover shelter, meals and different sources via her nonprofit, Moab Options. Officers fielded stories of him stealing small gadgets from shops.  

Melnicoff supplied him a ticket for a July 14 bus journey to southern California, she mentioned, and has not seen him since.  

“My first impression of him was that he had very severe psychological well being points,” Melnicoff mentioned. “I assumed he was fairly innocent.”  

There are few companies within the county for individuals who don’t have a spot to remain, particularly with regards to substance abuse and psychological well being, Melnicoff mentioned, so her group works carefully with legislation enforcers, together with Edwards, to assist folks get again on their ft.  

“She treats folks rather well,” Melnicoff mentioned.    

Edwards grew up on a ranch in Wyoming, Melnicoff famous, and has received a number of awards for her service within the roughly three years she’s labored in legislation enforcement. 

The Utah Chiefs of Police Affiliation named her 2020 small company officer of the yr. Final yr, whereas working for Moab police, she and different officers acquired an honor from the NAACP for rescuing of two feminine victims and negotiating with an armed home violence suspect in a standoff that ended peacefully.  

“I really like this group,” Edwards instructed KSL as she mirrored on the awards final yr.  

Upon reflection, Melnicoff mentioned she thinks otherwise about what occurred in July.  

“I can see the way it may very well be perceived as a horrific act that’s very painful for some folks,” Melnicoff mentioned. “It’s an enormous studying second, as a result of, simply, I didn’t even take into consideration that, and I ought to have. I imply, it simply by no means occurred to me, as a result of that’s not who she is.”  

Williams, with the NAACP, mentioned the video reveals it’s vital for legislation enforcers and everybody else to think about how their habits will likely be perceived by others.  

“I believe the optimistic impression could be to point out those who these sort of issues occur,” she mentioned. “They occur even within the state of Utah.”  

Have you ever skilled one thing you suppose simply isn’t proper? The KSL Investigators wish to assist. Submit your tip at investigates@ksl.com or 385-707-6153 so we are able to get working for you.