Watchdog: Cincinnati Sergeant Detained Two Women Nearly an Hour After Bridge 'Road Rage' Clash

The Citizen Complaint Authority in Cincinnati found that Sergeant Jim Perkins improperly detained two women for nearly an hour following a 2024 confrontation on the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge. The authority presented its findings at an Aug. 3 meeting after completing one of two investigations into the encounter involving Brooklyn Davis and her passenger, Ayana Scherrer. A separate internal review by the Cincinnati Police Department cleared Perkins of misconduct.

Incident Overview

According to video and statements, the incident began when Davis honked after she says an unmarked vehicle driven by Perkins sped around them as they turned onto the bridge, nearly forcing them off the road. Perkins told investigators he pulled over after being honked at because he thought there might be a problem with his vehicle, such as an open trunk. Police contend the interaction was not a traffic stop and say Davis could have driven away.

Accounts differ about what happened next: Davis and Scherrer say Perkins stopped in front of their car, shouted at them and pushed Davis back into her vehicle. Perkins and other officers offered a different description, and investigators said there is no definitive evidence that settles the competing versions.

Detention, Body Camera, And Paperwork

As more officers arrived, Davis and Scherrer were handcuffed and placed in the back of a cruiser, where they remained for about an hour. The Citizen Complaint Authority determined the seizure was prolonged beyond what was reasonably necessary. Investigators also found Perkins should have had his body-worn camera activated throughout the encounter.

Part of the delay, the authority said, stemmed from Perkins' unfamiliarity with certain paperwork and procedures; he told investigators he had not completed that type of documentation in a long time and currently works in a crime analysis assignment that does not typically involve traffic stops.

'Cooler heads arrived at the scene,' a complaint authority investigator said, noting that other officers' arrival appeared to change how the situation was handled.

Charges, Internal Review And Reactions

Charges were initially filed against Davis and Scherrer, but body-camera audio captured Perkins telling another officer the charges were 'minor' and could be dropped. The charges were later dismissed and expunged after months of proceedings.

The Citizen Complaint Authority has no power to discipline officers; it forwards findings and recommendations to the city manager. Separately, the Cincinnati Police Department reviewed body camera footage and interviewed officers on the scene and Perkins, concluding its internal investigation with a finding of no wrongdoing and no formal discipline for Perkins.

Attorney Max Londberg, who represents Scherrer, said he agreed with the authority's findings regarding the prolonged detention but urged investigators to consider whether discrimination played a role. 'Sgt. Perkins' treatment of these two women was inexcusable. No person should be pushed, cuffed, and threatened with six months of jail for honking a horn,' Londberg said.

What Comes Next

The Citizen Complaint Authority recommended review by the city manager, who will decide whether any administrative action is warranted. The case highlights questions about body-camera compliance, officer training on traffic-related paperwork, and how different investigative bodies can reach divergent conclusions about the same encounter.