DSU President releases statement in response to Liberty Co. Sheriff’s press conference

DOVER, Del. – Delaware State University President Tony Allen has released a statement in response to comments made by Liberty County Sheriff William Bowman in a press conference on Tuesday.

During the press conference, Sheriff Bowman said, “The protocol that was used was the same that would be used by any other gender, race, or age. We welcome feedback from the women’s lacrosse community on ways that our law enforcement practices can be improved by still practicing the laws. I believe the stop was legal.”

Allen says that he noted Bowman’s acknowledgment of the historic concerns regarding African Americans in traffic stops with law enforcement. He added that he looks forward to hearing from Bowman on how he plans to proceed in terms of feedback from the team.

“However, his public statement and the released body camera footage raise more questions than answers,” said Allen. “Sheriff Bowman insists that personal items were not searched; the video clearly shows officers searching toiletries and clothes, and even cutting open a family graduation gift. Sheriff Bowman said the officers were unaware of the nature of the passengers on the bus; the audio clearly demonstrates that the officers were aware both that this was a busload of ‘schoolgirls,’ and that they did not expect to find anything other than marijuana, which the officer who entered the bus said they were not looking for.”

“It has become abundantly more clear that this incident must be investigated by objective, external authorities. We continue to push forward toward that objective.”