The Dayton Human Relations Council’s Citizens’ Appeal Board decided to move forward with its investigation of a police incident from earlier this year.
On April 20, Brian Hall was pulled over by police after allegedly rolling through a stop sign. Officers said they didn’t notice anything illegal at the scene but they called a canine unit to sniff near the vehicle. The canine then allegedly alerted the officers to the presence of drugs. Officers searched Hall’s vehicle but found nothing illegal. They allowed Hall to drive away.
Hall says this traffic stop and the subsequent search violated his rights. Hall filed a complaint with the Professional Standards Bureau. The bureau dismissed his case, saying that the officers followed protocol. Hall is appealing their decision.
Jacob Davis, Human Rights Investigator for the Human Relations Council, read a summary of the appeal to the Board. He read that Hall felt violated, disrespected and intimidated during the incident.
“Mr. Hall alleged that the scene was very scary with at least four officers rattling off questions to him while also pointing bright lights at him throughout the interaction," Davis said. "Finally, Mr. Hall stated that he stopped at the stop sign so there was no valid reason to stop him.”
The board will hold a hearing about the appeal on July 20. Both Hall and the officers involved will have a chance to testify.