‘We could have performed better’: Lower Merion police respond to controversial traffic stop

BALA CYNWYD, Pa. - Officials from the Lower Merion Police Department released new video as they announced the results of their investigation into the use of force during a traffic stop that was captured on video. 

An investigation was launched after video surfaced of an officer deploying his stun gun on an unarmed woman before pulling her from her car during a traffic stop back on Jan. 8. 

The incident unfolded in the parking lot of a Wawa in Bala Cynwyd and was captured on video by at least two witnesses.

The video, according to those who were there, shows Lower Merion police officers demanding the driver of a maroon Volvo to exit the car. One officer is heard threatening to break the car window after the driver refuses repeated orders from police.

The woman, who witnesses say is a 30-year-old from Norristown, asks officers for a supervisor as she continues to refuse to exit the vehicle. Moments later, witnesses say the woman was tased multiple times and dragged from her car by police and arrested. 

She was brought to Lankanau Hospital for a medical condition and later released, according to a witness who spoke to FOX 29's Chris O'Connell.

The Lower Merion Police Department released dashcam and bodycam video of officers pulling the woman over for tailgating and surveillance video from the Wawa parking lot during a press conference Tuesday.

Police say the force was legal because the woman, who was reportedly driving a suspended license, was non-compliant during the traffic stop.

However, officials say the officer did not follow the department's best practices, and has been put on administrative duty.

"Did we meet Lower Merion police standards, and did we follow policy and training? The answer to that is no. The officer did not follow best practices for deescalation," they said.

The woman is now said to be facing several traffic and drug charges in connection to the incident.

Her attorney released the following statement:

"A driver who doesn’t know why they are being pulled over, doesn’t know why they are being surrounded, doesn’t know why guns are drawn, immediately goes into a panic situation. Why is that so surprising, then you tased her."