Cedar Rapids officials release statement in advance of planned council meeting protest

CEDAR RAPIDS - The City of Cedar Rapids reiterated Tuesday morning that it will not release dash camera footage of an officer-involved shooting until cleared to do so by the Linn County Attorney's Office.

The statement from the city addresses issues raised by family, friends and allies of Jerime Mitchell in advance of a protest planned for Tuesday afternoon's council meeting.

'The City of Cedar Rapids understands the concerns and request for more information voiced by some members of the community with regards to the officer-involved shooting incident that occurred November 1, 2016,” the statement begins.

Mitchell was shot by Cedar Rapids Police Officer Lucas Jones the morning of Nov. 1 on the lower part of Coe Road NE after a traffic stop allegedly escalated into an altercation between the two men. Since the shooting - which has left Mitchell paralyzed from the neck down - family, friends and community members have called for the release of dash camera footage of the incident. The city has said they will not release the video until an investigation by the Division of Criminal Investigation and Linn County Attorney's Office has been completed.

Tuesday's message from the city also includes a statement from the Linn County Attorney's Office, which classifies the dash camera footage as a confidential police record.

'The police investigation in this matter will be ongoing until there is a legal decision made regarding charges,” the statement reads. 'If no charges are filed, then the investigation will be concluded and the ‘custodian' of the records will be free to release the video. However, if charges are filed, the investigation will be considered ongoing until charges are adjudicated in court.”

The city said it intends to release the footage once approved to do so by the county attorney's office.

Family, friends and citizens - including the Iowa City Chapter of Stand Up for Racial Justice - said they intend to protest at Tuesday's Cedar Rapids City Council meeting. The group intends to demand the release of the dash camera footage, the reason for the altercation between Jones and Mitchell, Jones being placed on desk duty and an independent investigation not involving the DCI or Linn County Attorney's Office.

Tuesday's statement addresses some of those concerns. It notes that the city has confidence in the DCI and county attorney's office and will cooperate fully with those agencies. The city said Jones remains on paid administrative leave and has fully complied with the DCI.

'The Police Department is asking for the public's continued patience and understanding as we continue to cooperate with both the DCI and Linn County Attorney's Office as they conduct the independent investigation and review,” the statement concludes.

Mitchell's attorney, Paula Roby, also released a statement on Tuesday.

'Jerime Mitchell's family has a singular focus right now - Jerime's health,” Paula L. Roby, Mitchell's attorney, said Tuesday in a statement. 'His injuries from the shooting are profound, and he and his wife Bracken need time to fully grasp and try to adjust to the multiple challenges they face going forward. The family respectfully requests that their privacy be respected during this time.”

Roby said the Mitchell family is 'extremely appreciative” of the support and love from the community.

'It truly helps lift their spirits,” Roby added.