Princeton University professor Imani Perry
By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
An internal affairs investigation by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office vindicated Princeton Police’s handling of the arrest last month of a black Princeton University professor who claimed she had been mistreated and that her race had been a factor.
The Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday announced it had closed its probe, one that Princeton Police had asked for in the aftermath of the arrest of Imani Perry on Feb.6. A white male officer, Patrolman Michael Schubert, had pulled her over allegedly for speeding, with Ms. Perry later found to have had an arrest warrant out on her for two unpaid traffic tickets — both out of Princeton.
The case mushroomed from there, as Ms. Perry took to social media to complain about the way she had been treated, including being handcuffed to a table inside police headquarters when she was being booked. She also said her race was “not incidental” to the matter.
But she never cooperated with authorities in their probe, the Prosecutor’s Office said.
“A few weeks ago, we stated that our office’s review found that the officer’s conduct was to be commended, not criticized,” Prosecutor’s Office spokeswoman Casey A. DeBlasio said Thursday in an email. “As Perry never filed a complaint with our office, or came forward to us with any additional evidence to be considered after we reached out to her, we’ve closed our case with that determination.”
Police Chief Nicholas K. Sutter could not be reached for comment Thursday.
For her part, Ms. Perry, 43, said Thursday that she had no comment.
Thursday’s announcement closed a racially charged case that had made headlines nationally at a time of heightened focus on police tactics and relations between law enforcement and the black community. Ms. Perry attracted a sympathetic response from her colleagues at work, including university President Christopher L. Eisgruber, and from other supporters, including actress Mia Farrow.
But as details emerged, including the release of the police dash cam video of the stop, the narrative changed. Police were seen treating her politely, in what one law enforcement expert told the Princeton Packet was a “text book” way to handle a traffic stop.
“My first thought is I’m glad the case is closed and our terrific police force has been vindicated,” said Councilwoman and police commissioner Heather H. Howard by phone Thursday.
Mayor Liz Lempert said Thursday that the video and the audio of the traffic stop “speak for themselves.” She said it was important for both the community and the nation “to see our officers at work.”
Officials have said the arrest of Ms. Perry on traffic tickets had raised bigger questions about whether that was the right procedure to do or not.
“Our force has made great strides under Chief Sutter’s leadership in improving community relations and pursuing bias-free policing. Now we can turn our focus to examining state and court practices that may not reflect our values,” Ms. Howard said.
The officer had no discretion to ignore the warrant for Ms. Perry, police have said. Also, an arrest warrant is not issued for only one ticket, and that she would have received notices to pay her tickets.
She is scheduled to appear in Princeton Municipal Court on March 8, to face tickets for speeding and driving with a suspended license, the two offenses that she was cited for last month. Police had clocked her travelling 67 mph in a 45 zone.
She had “no comment” when asked if she planned to appear in court.
“We have nothing to add,” said university spokeswoman Min Pullan by phone Thursday.
