The Davis Police Department is releasing citizen dash camera video of a fight that took place at this year's Picnic Day on April 22nd. That video was made by investigators on Wednesday. Three men alleged to have taken part in the fight were arrested, and two of three police officers involved were hurt, according to the police. The department also said in a printed statement that an internal investigation of the police officers involved in that fight is underway.
Still image from civilian dash camera footage courtesy Davis Police Department
The dash camera video clearly shows an unmarked minivan moving down Russell Boulevard before making a U-turn and coming to stop alongside a group of people on sidewalk. Three men leap out of the van and into the crowd after what appears to be an exchange of words between members of the crowd and the men inside the van. Two of the men coming out of the van appear to be wearing street clothes, while a third has on what looks like a police vest. The fight begins almost immediately after the men leave the van.
Several people can plainly be seen in the dash camera footage running up to the fight and recording it with camera phones, and that department said some of those people claimed officers displayed racial bias and used unnecessary force in making arrests that day.