Police in a western Michigan city already under scrutiny for alleged discrimination are defending their actions in the arrest of a 12-year-old black boy, saying they had to handcuff the child while they sorted out a confusing situation. The department summarized its response in a Facebook post following a witness' post criticizing officers , who were described as mostly white. The department also on Monday opened an investigation to determine if the case was handled properly, though no officers were placed on leave. "Not knowing the youth's age or the circumstances of what was going on, the officer placed the youth in handcuffs," the post reads. A large crowd already in the neighborhood observed this and became upset that a 12-year-old was being arrested.

Source: ABC News June 18, 2019 12:41 UTC