Fox and Friends co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck said that the reason Sandra Bland might have been asked to put out her cigarette may have been because she might use the cigarette as a weapon.
The comments came when Hasselbeck was discussing dashcam footage of the arrest of Sandra Bland with former New York Police Department officer John Rafferty.
“It appears, looking at this, because she didn’t put out the cigarette next thing he knows, he’s asking the person to step out of the vehicle,” Rafferty said about Trooper Brian Encinia. “You can’t take it personal. It’s the job.”
“But, what if, I mean, there are times, I’m sure, someone has, in the history of this land, used a cigarette against a police officer,” said Hasselbeck, “maybe chucked it at him, pushed it at him.”
“Absolutely,” said Rafferty.
“If he indeed felt it could be a potential threat, was that the wise thing to do?” she went on.
“I think because you know, you have to know you’re being recorded — you have to say, ‘Listen I need you to step out to sign this warning,’” said Rafferty. “I wouldn’t want somebody stepping out with a cigarette. I mean, I’ve had a cigarette tried to be — I’ve had somebody try to put a cigarette out on me. It happens. I guarantee, you speak to many cops out there. But the way you say it, unfortunately you’re locked into it. Because now, it’s being recorded. Unfortunately, these officers have to remember that.”