DETROIT (WWJ) -- The Detroit Police Department announced Wednesday that a pair of officers will be disciplined by the department after they were captured on camera during a profane confrontation of a man who is known for dancing on Detroit street corners.
Darius Jones is best known locally as "Detroit Chris Brown" for the way he dances and sings (like the R&B and pop singer) at Detroit intersections, mainly on the city's east side. Authorities say they have received numerous calls about Jones for using inappropriate language over a loudspeaker and suggestive dance moves over the last several months.
A video, presumably taken by Jones, went viral earlier this week after the officers confronted him on Monday.
DPD officials held a press conference at the corner of Kelly and Moross Roads on Wednesday to address the incident and said the officers, who have not been identified, will be disciplined, though a punishment has not been announced.
A Detroit community activist, however, says the officers are getting a bad rap.
Russ Bellant, who is also part of the DPD 9th Precinct Police Community Relations Council, says he knows the two officers well, one of which grew up in the neighborhood where Jones is often seen dancing.
"They were trying to serve the residents who were complaining and offended by it, some who were concerned about this person jumping in the street," Bellant told WWJ. "And they were trying to do it in ways that they were sensitive to his family by talking to his family and getting them involved in the solution."
Bellant is disappointed with the statements made by police leadership because they didn't recognize or acknowledge the multiple efforts made.
"I think the police officers themselves regret having to use that language, but it was kind of a temperamental outburst when he was being offensive to them," Bellant said. "That doesn't show on the video because, of course he isn't going to show that part of what is behavior was."
Jones also addressed the media Wednesday, saying he has intentions of suing police.
