Gov. Meyer Criticizes DSP Dover Traffic Stop; Investigation Launched

DOVER, Del. – Delaware State Police have arrested a Dover woman following a traffic stop that turned physical.

38-year-old Sierra Hopkins was arrested and charged with second degree assault of a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with force or violence, four counts of endangering the welfare of a child and related traffic charges. She has since been committed to the Delaware Department of Correction on a $10,000 cash bond

On Tuesday, Jul. 7, around 6:00 p.m., Hopkins and four juvenile passengers were pulled over by a trooper after a computer inquiry indicated that the registration on the car she was driving was suspended due to an uninsured motorist violation. Hopkins had been pulled over by DSP five days prior for the same violations, including driving on a suspended license. She confirmed that her insurance had been canceled, but told troopers she was working to fix it.

The responding trooper issued her traffic citations and let her go without towing her vehicle. Following a verbal disagreement with Hopkins, the trooper then determined that the vehicle should have been towed and conducted a second traffic stop on the vehicle. The trooper advised Hopkins that his decision had changed and that he would be towing the vehicle, and requested that she drive her vehicle into a nearby parking lot.  Hopkins refused, and the trooper then began to physically remove Hopkins from her vehicle. 

A viral video released Wednesday evening shows the physical altercation between Hopkins and the DSP trooper, in which, the trooper can be seen pulling Hopkins out of her car before throwing her to the ground. The trooper can also be seen punching Hopkins in the head once she was on the ground, and he ultimately deploys his taser. Shortly after, a large group of responding troopers arrives to take Hopkins into custody. The juvenile passengers in the vehicle can also be seen exiting the car and trying to interfere in the altercation between the trooper and Hopkins.

In a press release from DSP, the agency describes the incident as the following:

Hopkins refused to move her car and further refused orders to exit the vehicle. The trooper then began to physically remove Hopkins from her vehicle,but she resisted and clung to the steering wheel to prevent removal. The trooper then presented his taser, at which point Hopkins exited. Hopkins was verbally ordered to lie on the ground, and when she refused, the trooper used physical force to move her to the ground to take her into custody.  Hopkins continued to resist, kicking the trooper and scratching his face with her fingernails. The trooper then used defensive strikes and stepped away from Hopkins to deploy his taser. With the help of responding troopers, she was taken into custody. After giving Hopkins orders to pull into a nearby parking lot, Hopkins refused to move her car and refused to exit the vehicle.

Multiple leaders are speaking out following the release of the video of the traffic stop. DSP Superintendent Colonel William D. Crotty says the agency is working with members of the Police Accountability Board to ensure transparency and address any questions that may arise from the community.

“While the trooper was authorized and expected to tow the vehicle, we acknowledge and recognize that the perception of the second stop and the events that occurred after have generated a lot of questions,” Crotty said, in part. “As we work through this incident, we remind those we serve that the best course of action in situations that you feel are unjust is to comply with lawful orders and follow up with troop supervision or the Office of Professional Responsibility about your concerns.”

Governor Matt Meyer spoke out about the incident on Friday morning, saying his administration was aware of the video. He added that his office was collaborating with the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, DSP, the State Police community review board, and NAACP of Delaware to review internal policies.

“Policing relies on trust… it is earned every day through mutual respect, integrity, and transparency,” Governor Meyer said, in part. “The people of Delaware deserve transparency, and this administration will not turn away from that responsibility… This incident is being fully investigated.”

DSP says they are seeking to gather all relevant and available information, and ask that anyone who directly witnessed the incident or has video contact Lieutenant J. Jones at Troop 3 at (302) 698-8449.