A Pennsylvania State Trooper has been put on restricted duty amid an ongoing internal investigation concerning the arrest of Philadelphia's top LGBT official and her spouse. The incident, which has garnered substantial attention on social media, involved Celena Morrison, the city’s Executive Director of the Office of LGBT Affairs, and her husband, Darius McLean, during a traffic stop gone awry on I-76.
The confrontation started after Morrison was pulled over by the trooper for vehicle code violations such as driving with an expired and suspended registration, as per the state police. A video, capturing part of the incident, shows Morrison's husband, driving a Dodge Challenger, pulling up behind the trooper's car. According to a document from internal State Police reviewed by FOX29, the trooper identified as Andrew Zaborowski, ordered McLean to exit his vehicle and eventually "assisted" him out, leading to a physical struggle.
Morrison, seen in the recording shouting about her association with the mayor's office, was also involved in the altercation. There was no response from Morrison's residence when prompted for a comment on Monday morning. The couple was initially charged by state police with resisting arrest and related charges, but the matter of prosecution remains uncertain, as the District Attorney's office, headed by Larry Krasner, is holding off on any "charging decision" pending a thorough and "even-handed" investigation, as they told The Inquirer.
While specifics of the case were not detailed by the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association, their statement released to Action News emphasizes the dedication of the troopers, saying, "Every day, Pennsylvania State Troopers go to work prepared to lay down their lives for their fellow citizens." Meanwhile, city leaders, keeping an eye on the proceedings, indicated that they may be reaching out to state officials regarding the investigation.
The state police are conducting a full investigation into the traffic stop and the ensuing events. Lt. Adam Reed, the state police spokesperson, affirmed that during the investigation, the trooper involved is on restricted duty status, prohibiting him from patrol. The incident has also expedited the rollout of body cameras for troopers in Philadelphia, aiming to enhance transparency and accountability within the force.
