McKinney City Councilman's Speeding Arrest in Spotlight
A McKinney city councilman, arrested after refusing to sign a speeding citation this week, is calling on police to review its procedures. But, after reviewing body camera footage, said he acknowledged the role he played in the arrest.
McKinney Police said an officer pulled Councilman La'Shadion Shemwell over on Tuesday evening for driving 55 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour speed limit zone on North McDonald Street. The officer cited Shemwell for speeding and for failing to change his address on his drivers license within 30 days, as required by state law.
Police said when Shemwell "repeatedly refused" to sign the citation, the officer arrested him to be taken before a magistrate.
Wednesday, Shemwell initially said he felt he was profiled and his role in Black Lives Matter protests factored into his arrest. Late Wednesday, Shemwell said he reviewed the body camera footage and said he realized he was more argumentative than he remembered.
He said the police chief told him the officer didn't have a choice in the arrest after Shemwell refused to sign the citation.
Earlier, Shemwell questioned the need for an arrest for a low level traffic violation.
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