One Lansing Police officer fired, two keep their jobs following Baker Street arrest

LANSING — A Lansing Police Department officer has been fired for escalating a situation in November. 

Officer Alex Rojas was terminated after an internal investigation found he "caused other officers to use higher levels of force" during a Nov. 10 arrest, Police Chief Daryl Green said in a statement. 

The other two officers, Alec Slobin and Morgan Schafer, were not fired. Asked what the internal investigation found regarding the other two officers, LPD Public Information Director Robert Merritt said he did not have the information.

"You are welcome to file a (Freedom of Information Act) request," he wrote in an email.

All three officers were placed on paid administrative leave while Michigan State Police and the Ingham County Prosecutor investigated the incident. The prosecutor did not file charges against the officers, but said their actions were "concerning" in March.

Video posted on social media by Brandon Hayduk showed at least five officers pinning down and striking a 25-year-old man during an arrest in November. In the video, the man can be heard shouting, "I can't breathe." Once the officers roll the man onto his side, he begins chanting "George Floyd," and "Black Lives Matter." 

An officer then approaches the bystander, who is filming from a car, and tells them to "get out of here."

During a Lansing Police Board of Commissioners meeting on Nov. 16, member DeYeya Jones asked Green why the officer told the bystander to leave when they were far enough away not to interfere with the arrest. 

LPD officers are told that bystanders have a First Amendment right to film them, Green replied.

Merritt did not have information on whether that officer was disciplined for the statement.

The American Civil Liberties Union has advised it is legal to film or photograph police carrying out their duties in public spaces. 

Officers were called to the 800 block of Baker Street at 11:21 p.m. on Nov. 10 following a report of a fight involving five or six people, Lansing Public Information Director Robert Merritt said in November. Officers spoke to three people on scene and determined the 25-year-old was the primary suspect in an assault. 

"The department recognizes the negative impact this incident had on the community and is currently reviewing its related policies and training," Green said.

This is a developing story. 

Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at (517) 267-1344or knurse@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @KrystalRNurse.