After tense exchange with Baltimore police, Black pastor steps down from Community Oversight Task Force

A Black pastor who was the chairman of the Community Oversight Task Force stepped down after he refused to comply with 60 commands from a police officer, Baltimore Sun reports.

The officer’s bodycam video shows Marvin McKenstry engaged in an intense exchange  with Baltimore City Police Sergeant Terrence McGowan. He refused to give up his license and at one point tried to force the officer to arrest him for  minor traffic violations.

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Instead of the incident escalating, the white officer talked McKenstry through the procedures, making it clear to him what law he violated, why he was stopped and what violations he was being cited for in that moment.

Since relations between the police and Baltimore residents have been intense, McKenstry likely thought things would go in his favor. They didn’t. Ray Kelly will take his place, according to the group’s Facebook post.

The nine-member Community Oversight Task Force was established under the city’s consent decree with the Justice Department to assess and recommend improvements to civilian oversight of the city police force, according to the Sun. McKenstry will remain on the panel but won’t serve as chairman.

McKenstry is a a pastor at the Victory House of Worship Church in West Baltimore.

Mayor Catherine Pugh appointed McKenstry. A spokesman for Pugh said it was an internal decision to replace McKenstry following the heated exchange, said James Bentley.

The Community Oversight Committee responded to McKenstry’s actions in a Facebook post:

The Community Oversight Task Force was made aware of an incident between Marvin McKenstry and a Baltimore City Police Sergeant Terrence McGowan that occurred on April 13, 2018 during a traffic stop. Since the incident occurred, Mr. McKenstry, COTF leadership, and BPD have been in communication and resolved the issue internally. A teachable moment will be the result on both the BPD and community side about how to interact with one another and move forward through conflict – respectfully.

The members of COTF are committed to the work that they have been tasked with and give the City of Baltimore their solemn promise to continue without impunity. We thank all parties involved in this work for their empathy and patience as we resolved this as a body and look forward to moving Baltimore and Baltimore Police Department forward for the greater good of all of us.”