Newburgh councilman apologizes for conduct in profanity-filled encounter with police

A Newburgh city councilman is apologizing for how he interacted with a police detective last week in an encounter captured on bodycam video that has gone viral.

News 12 Staff

Feb 23, 2020, 3:48 PM

Updated 1,524 days ago

Share:

A Newburgh city councilman apologized for his interaction with a police detective last week that was captured on bodycam video.
As News 12 has reported, the video of the profanity-laced encounter between Councilman Omari Shakur and a detective has gone viral. According to city officials, Shakur's car was in the road blocking traffic while on he was on phone last week. A police detective then drove up behind him and honked at him to move out of the way.
Police say that when Shakur did not move his car, a detective approached the vehicle and asked for his license, starting the confrontation.
Shakur would not comment on camera, but he did post a one-page statement on social media where he apologizes for "the offensive language."
Newburgh Mayor Torrance Harvey called Shakur's behavior toward police unprofessional and inappropriate.
"Anyone interacting and engaging with law enforcement, whether it be our police department, state police, county sheriff's department... it doesn't matter. If you're engaging with law enforcement, you are to engage in a respectful communicable way where you basically comply with their request," the mayor said.
The mayor says the Orange County district attorney is declining to file charges, and that an investigation concluded that the detective acted professionally and followed police procedures. However, the mayor says he is looking into how the police body cam video was leaked to the media during the investigation.
 


More from News 12
1:23
Westchester commuters, residents weigh in on official congestion pricing rollout date

Westchester commuters, residents weigh in on official congestion pricing rollout date

2:10
Late-day showers for Saturday in the Hudson Valley; chance of thunderstorm for Sunday

Late-day showers for Saturday in the Hudson Valley; chance of thunderstorm for Sunday

0:20
City of White Plains to impose new speed limit of 25 mph, effective in May

City of White Plains to impose new speed limit of 25 mph, effective in May

0:41
Farm-to-table distillery brings boozy beverages to Goshen

Farm-to-table distillery brings boozy beverages to Goshen

0:22
Westchester County Center to host free prom attire giveaway this weekend

Westchester County Center to host free prom attire giveaway this weekend

0:35
Westchester Craft Beverage Trail takes residents on tour of 2 dozen distilleries

Westchester Craft Beverage Trail takes residents on tour of 2 dozen distilleries

Special teams carry Rangers to a Game 3 win and a 3-0 series lead on the Capitals

Special teams carry Rangers to a Game 3 win and a 3-0 series lead on the Capitals

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:52
Mother and daughter from Mount Vernon sentenced in pandemic-relief fraud scheme

Mother and daughter from Mount Vernon sentenced in pandemic-relief fraud scheme

0:32
Carmel police: Yorktown shoplifting suspects arrested

Carmel police: Yorktown shoplifting suspects arrested

0:52
'Kindness in a cup.' Sleepy Coffee, Too celebrates grand opening in Sleepy Hollow

'Kindness in a cup.' Sleepy Coffee, Too celebrates grand opening in Sleepy Hollow

1:53
Officials call for no-show Orange County legislator to step down after missing meetings for two years

Officials call for no-show Orange County legislator to step down after missing meetings for two years

0:34
Yonkers police: Man wanted for failing to appear in court for car break-in charges

Yonkers police: Man wanted for failing to appear in court for car break-in charges

1:57
White Plains dispensary pays it forward, spends green on legal help

White Plains dispensary pays it forward, spends green on legal help

0:49
Gov. Hochul signs $10 million literacy plan into law

Gov. Hochul signs $10 million literacy plan into law

0:28
Yonkers hip-hop legend Mary J. Blige, Pepsi team up to help women in the city

Yonkers hip-hop legend Mary J. Blige, Pepsi team up to help women in the city

0:33
Kingston man charged in barbershop stabbing

Kingston man charged in barbershop stabbing

2:08
MTA outlines new details on congestion pricing, including start date

MTA outlines new details on congestion pricing, including start date

2:04
Movie theater experience: A close look at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville

Movie theater experience: A close look at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville

1:35
 White Plains community memorializes impactful couple as part of 41st Arbor Day celebration

White Plains community memorializes impactful couple as part of 41st Arbor Day celebration