Clayton Officials Apologize For Alleged IHOP Racial Profiling

CLAYTON, MO — Clayton city manager Craig Owens and Police Chief Kevin Murphy have met with and apologized to a group of Washington University freshmen who were falsely accused of a dine-and-dash at an area IHOP last week, the City of Clayton said in a statement. Earlier this week, the pair — along with mayor Harold Sanger — also met with Washington University Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton to discuss the incident.

"The interaction with the students today was emotionally powerful," Owens and Murphy said in a joint statement. "We left with a much better understanding of how the students were feeling the night of July 7 and what it was like to be a young African American who is confronted by the police."

The police department has a duty to protect Clayton businesses, officials said, but in this case it did not carry out that duty "in a way that demonstrates we act without bias."

"In hindsight," Owens continued, "it is clear to us that we mishandled the interaction with these 10 Washington University students and lacked sensitivity about their everyday reality because of how racial bias affects their lives. For that, on behalf of the City of Clayton, we sincerely apologize."

Earlier this week, the Post-Dispatch reported that about half a dozen Clayton Police cars had trailed the 10 accused Washington University students as they were forced to walk three blocks from their Metro station back to the late-night diner. Despite having receipts, police had accused the incoming freshmen of leaving the restaurant without paying.

Upon returning, however, the restaurant's manager told police the students weren't the customers who had skipped out on their bill. They didn't even resemble the culprits, except for one fact: they were black.

The incident happened around around midnight on July 7 and is just the latest in a string of alleged racial profiling incidents in St. Louis in recent months. Back in May, three black teens were falsely accused of shoplifting as they browsed for prom clothes at a Brentwood Nordstrom Rack. Just days later, a Schnucks employee refused to sell a money order to an African American couple because, he said, "people like you do fraud."

Rob Wild, the university's associate vice chancellor for student transition and engagement, said the incident was "extremely disappointing" in an email to students last week, calling it "a humiliating experience" for the students involved.

The 10 students were on campus for a summer prep program for first-generation college students or those from high schools with limited resources, according to the Post-Dispatch.

"They were recruited from all over the United States and, as high-school students, worked tremendously hard with an eye toward attending an institution like ours," vice chancellor for public affairs Jill Friedman told the paper.

"We are deeply concerned and disappointed that anyone — certainly any of our students — would experience what transpired," Friedman continued. "The fact that these 10 students, all of whom are African American, were scared and humiliated is unacceptable to us."

Murphy said on Monday that an internal review was being conducted. That investigation will continue, he said today, and it will be completed as quickly, and as thoroughly, as possible.

"We will also invite a third party in to examine our policies and procedures and expand our training programs in implicit bias for all our officers," the chief said. "We will share what we learn publicly and use the results to identify areas where we can be more sensitive and aware."

The Clayton Police Department will coordinate with the Washington University Police Department to benefit from the work they have already done in that area, Murphy said, adding that the department is planning to introduce body cameras later this year.

"This will provide accountability and a tool for coaching positive interaction techniques," he explained.

"This is an opportunity for the city to learn and do better," Owens and Murphy said. "We, and Mayor Sanger, hope we are better people and intend to be better leaders because of the experience."

Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images