The leader of the Tuscaloosa chapter of the NAACP says the city needs a citizens' advisory board to strengthen ties between police and the community after a man who was pepper sprayed by officers died while he was being taken into custody.
Tuscaloosa NAACP chapter President Jerry Cater tells the Tuscaloosa News he commends the police department for releasing footage of the moments leading up to 35-year-old Anthony Ware's death and the department asking federal officials to investigate. However, Carter says he thinks more needs to be done and the citizen's panel could serve as a formal community liaison.
Video footage didn't show the moment Ware was sprayed and apprehended. Police Chief Steven Anderson has said it's because the first officers on the scene weren't outfitted with body cameras.