Police under scrutiny for arrests of community leaders

Added: 2026-05-25

[00:00:00]They show up, girl, like I'm the most wanted.

[00:00:04]>> That's Brandi Grayson recounting her December arrest. It was sparked by a parking dispute with employees at a downtown business. Grayson was the driver and Maya Pearson riding passenger. He goes to get his manager.

[00:00:16]She comes out and she comes out screaming. She's like, "You need to move your car now. I don't know who you think you are." So, I rolled down my window and I smile and I said, "Girl, I don't know what you on tonight, but you need to chill." The Madison Police Department's internal investigation found no policy violations by officers at the scene. The only infraction, a driving concern by a sergeant responding to the call. Next thing you know, they snatch me out the car, throw me on the snow bank, slam me up against the wall and say, "You're under arrest." But this week, the Office of the Independent Police Monitor released findings that paint a very different picture. The report called out an officer's use of profanity, a department policy violation, and whether officers clearly communicated why the women were being detained. In response, Chief John Patterson acknowledged the profanity issue was missed during MPD's internal review, saying the department is now reopening that part of the investigation. But Patterson is also pushing back on several of the monitor's findings. In a lengthy statement, the chief defended the stop, saying officers were responding to a reported disturbance and had the authority to detain the vehicle while investigating.

[00:01:22]He also noted the Dane County District Attorney reviewed the case and filed charges. Grayson has pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and Pearson pleaded not guilty to disorderly conduct and resisting an officer, according to court records. I did not hear back from either on my request for an interview though.

[00:01:39]The police monitor's official report will be released in the coming weeks.