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Nashville review board raises concern after video shows 10‑year‑old handcuffed; MPD captain defends policy
Summary
Chair Witsell raised community alarm over social‑media video of a 10‑year‑old being handcuffed downtown; MPD Captain Cantrell told the board the department places anyone taken into custody in handcuffs for safety and said juveniles in custody are treated with the same safety considerations as adults.
Chair Witsell opened the meeting by describing a recent trip to Civil Rights sites and said he was later "disturbed" by video circulating on social media showing a 10‑year‑old drummer being handcuffed by MNPD officers.
"As more information becomes available, I hope we can ask the questions the community wants the answers to and hold conversations that push us toward more understanding, more compassion, more accountability, and better public safety," Witsell said.
Board member Michelle asked whether the review board had received complaints related to the incident. Dr. Risby, the executive director, said the office had received a recent complaint that had not yet been processed.
Member Michelle then asked Captain Cantrell of MNPD to explain departmental policy. Captain Cantrell told the board that "anytime anybody's taken into custody, it's our policy and procedure to place them in handcuffs," saying the practice is intended "for the safety of the individual as well as the safety of the officer." He added that handcuffing helps prevent flight and allows officers to get the person to a safe place and contact a guardian.
On procedure questions, Cantrell said juvenile custody is handled with attention to safety and that the department generally seeks to identify custodial parents or call the state Department of Children's Services (DCS) when custody cannot be verified. He said curfew rules vary by season and that officers try not to prolong on‑scene confrontations so people can be transferred for care quickly.
Board members pressed on whether MPD planned a public statement; Cantrell said he was not part of those conversations but that the incident was on the department's radar. Member Michelle noted a GoFundMe circulating to help the child's family.
The board did not take formal action on the handcuffing video at the meeting; Dr. Risby said a complaint had been submitted and would be processed. The board encouraged transparency and follow‑up as more facts are established.
