NAACP investigating Lancaster police use of force complaints

(Harrisburg) — A midstate civil rights organization is investigating police use of force in Lancaster following a stun gun incident  last month.

The Lancaster chapter of the NAACP has been among the most vocal groups calling for change after a white police officer was caught on video shocking an African-American man.

Chapter’s president Blanding Watson said his organization was especially troubled by the incident, because it appears the man is trying to comply with conflicting orders from the officers.

Watson said they are documenting similar complaints to see if there is a pattern.

“Any time there’s excessive force, from what we view or see, our policies for our organization–and any other civil rights organization–is going to look at things like that as being a violation of civil rights,” Watson said.

Watson said he’s cautiously optimistic the incident has sparked positive change in the city.

Lancaster Mayor Danene Sorace has committed to updating the police use of force policy.

The NAACP is also pushing for changes like recruiting more diverse hires for the police force and implementing implicit bias training.