[Music] On February 6th, 2025, Officer Adams of the Henry County Police Department in Georgia initiated a traffic stop on Lieutenant Derek McClendon, who is the sector supervisor for the field operation division of the Clayton County School Police Department and a deputy with the Clayton County Sheriff's Office. >> Camera recording started. Started [Music] >> 36 36 radio at 1048. [Music] It's going to be that same tag we had in Georgia. So, I'm waiting for it to explore >> your 20 >> highway 81 and Mitchell Trail. >> Hey, how can I help you? >> What's going on? >> I'm doing fine. How you doing? >> The uh the tag's coming back. Not on file. No warrants. Is it an undercover car? >> You see my rank signant, right? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Now, listen to where you talking to. Now, listen to the way you talking to me. The tags coming out. >> Slow down. >> I was just trying to see. >> Tell me the reason why you pulled me over. >> The reason legal reason why did you pull me over? >> The reason for the stop is for unregistered motor. >> Did I violate any Did I violate any traffic? You you actually set right now because you and it's embarrassing. >> Okay. The reason for the stop is >> Let me get your name and badge number and your supervisor. >> Officer Adams. >> Write it down. Put on the card. >> I don't have to do that. >> Yes, you do. >> No, sir. I >> call your supervisor here. Now you got me late to a meeting. Late to a meeting. My son getting his awards right now. And you just pulled me over for nothing. >> Okay. It's also shown that you >> 33 years of law enforcement. You just pulled me over for nothing. >> You see these blue lights? You think somebody just riding around with blue lights on? >> It happens all the time. >> No, it don't. >> Yes, it does. >> I'm not impersonating the officer. >> Okay. All right. I'll get on the phone with my >> I don't want to complain for your internal. >> Hey. >> Hey, Sergeant. >> So, I got this uh tag. I guess the uh driver is a lieutenant county, I guess. uh unmarked car uh driving around with his blue lights on and he was wanting me to uh get you on the phone. >> So, the tags coming back, not on file, no warrants, and the uh and I stopped the car for having the blue lights and the uh >> and your bad information. >> I got to get to my autistic award. You got me late. I'm I'm going to sue somebody in a minute. Officer Adams explains that he stopped Lieutenant McClendon after seeing blue lights on his unmarked vehicle and running the tag, which came back as quote unquote not on file. Under section 40-8-90 of the Georgia code, it is unlawful to drive a motor vehicle that is equipped with blue lights unless it is owned or leased by any federal, state, or local law enforcement agency or granted a permit by a state agency to bear blue lights. While section 40-8-92 of the Georgia code states that officially marked law enforcement vehicles are not required to have a permit to use blue lights, law enforcement vehicles that are unmarked must obtain a permit for use of an emergency blue flashing light. In this situation, Officer Adams observed blue lights on an unmarked vehicle and found that the registration did not return in the system, raising suspicion about whether the car was properly authorized. Now, because Lieutenant McClendon's vehicle was unmarked and no record of registration appeared, a court would likely find that the stop was justified to investigate potential violations of this blue light statute. >> My son is >> You want to You want to speak? >> I'm missing his graduation. >> You could be over for nothing. >> Hurry up, man. >> He's getting pretty agitated. >> Y this never happened. >> Can you get back in your car, sir? >> That's all I want. How about you, >> sir? Get back in your car, sir. My right. >> I stopped you for a long time. >> All I need, son, is your badge and information. >> I can give that to you if you get back in your car in the morning. >> I I have stopped you on my son's artistic graduation. >> This only happened to No, I'm not. What you going to do? >> Get back in your car. I I'm not trying to put no hands on anybody. >> No, you're not going to put hands on me. >> Okay. Get back in your car, please. >> I'm not. I'm going to pull out. That's what I'm going to do. I'm already late. I have to get settled with this not on file registration. Okay. I have to make sure >> county. You see that? Do you want my registration? >> County. Yes, sir. Please. >> But give me your information. It's taking you a long time to >> I will write it down for you. >> Hurry up. Hurry up. Hurry up. >> Yeah, I probably need one of y'all out here. >> Where you at? I'm on 81 and >> uh Mitchell Trail. >> Thank you. >> Mhm. 36 106. >> Sir, I cannot do my job if you don't get back in your car. >> I'm trying to get you out of here quick. I just got to figure this out. >> I'm late now. I'm late now. My lawyer's trying to Sir, are you an SRO? >> Are you SRO's? Lieutenant Commander. >> Okay. >> Oh, deputy sheriff also. Since you be disrespectful, let me show you that, too. It says Clayton County Sheriff's Office. 33 years. It says deputy sheriff. Okay. Okay. Take them eight years every year. What else you want? Lieutenant McClendon states that he is Lieutenant Commander in charge of the SRO's or school resource officers at the Clayton County School Police Department and a deputy with the Clayton County Sheriff's Office. According to section 20-8-5 of the Georgia code, school security personnel who are certified by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council is have the same law enforcement powers as county or municipal law enforcement officers, including the power of arrest. However, this authority is limited to school property. The law enforcement powers of deputy sheriffs, on the other hand, extend throughout their county, and in certain circumstances, such as fresh pursuit or other statutory authorizations, can be exercised statewide. Here, Lieutenant McClendon was likely cross-commissioned, meaning that he has a role with the school police, but has also been concurrently sworn in under the sheriff, so he legally carries both authorities. This type of cross commissioning provides law enforcement agencies with flexibility and promotes inter agency cooperation. >> My super my supervisor's coming out. >> Graduating, you just made me miss it. >> That's what you just did. You could have told me have a nice day. That's what you should have said. You saw my credentials. >> I have a nice day. That's all you should say. >> I wish I could have, but I have to investigate. I have to I have to investigate. >> Pick up my phone number and call me. I could have said that to you. >> I have to investigate potential impersonators. >> That is not at all. I didn't even see what color you were. >> You done? >> I cannot valid. I cannot. You You requested my supervisor. >> I'm going to go, man. You are not f You are not you understand what you just did or what you're doing. >> Sir, I have >> My son is graduating. >> I don't care about your >> Thank you for saying Hold on. Say that again. >> This is so judge can see how ignorant you are. >> This is a traffic stop. Okay. >> No, it's not. >> Yes, it is. >> Cuz I didn't. >> Yes, you did. You also told me about 21 years old. I just You don't care. Did you not say that >> sir? >> Yes or no? >> No reason for the stop. >> Henry Adam told the blank 439 you got behind me also actually. >> It's also a possible impersonator. >> Impersonating what? >> And blue. >> How am I impersonating? >> If I can't If I cannot >> How am I? >> I cannot see your credentials. >> I cannot see your uniform. Sir, >> we just stepped over here out of the roadway. I I I don't want you in the roadway. That's not safe. >> Officer Adams states that Lieutenant McClendon could potentially be impersonating a police officer under section 16-10-23 of the Georgia Code. It is a felony for an individual to falsely hold themselves as a peace officer with the intent to mislead others into believing that they are actually law enforcement. The statute does not require that the individual complete an arrest or actually exercise police authority. Rather, the offense is complete if the person intentionally presents themselves as an officer in order to deceive. For example, in 2021, Savannah police arrested Donald Williams Jr. after he drove with flashing blue lights mounted in his car while wearing a badge and a reflective vest labeled police. He was charged under the impersonation and blue light statutes, demonstrating how the combination of an unmarked vehicle with unauthorized blue lights and police style apparel can constitute impersonating a peace officer. Here, Lieutenant McClendon's vehicle was equipped with blue lights without the permit required for unmarked vehicles and he was wearing an out ofjurisdiction police uniform and displaying a badge. Well, given this evidence, it is likely that a court would conclude that officer Adams had at least reasonable suspicion to detain Lieutenant McClendon to investigate whether he was actually a law enforcement officer or if he was impersonating one. >> Well, I'd still prefer you be on this side and not this side with the moving traffic. >> What's going to >> That's fine. I just It's It's a little safer over here, not in the roadway. You've been doing this a lot longer than I have, sir. >> My son's a war. She's award. >> Okay. >> Right. >> I understand your frustration. >> I just like to be safe. >> Yes, sir. >> That's my name and badge number like you requested. >> 9130. >> What's the number? >> That the nine the nine the four-digit number is dispatch number. Huh? >> The the four-digit number is his badge number. >> What's your supervisor's name? >> Three. >> We have them on the way. >> Sergeant. >> Sergeant Laquar, if you want to step over here, we can write all this down. Okay, then I'm not going to come over there. >> Yeah. Yeah. If you want to sit down in there, I'll roll the passenger window down. I just I don't want to be on that side of the road. >> All right. So, it's going to be SGT. >> I'm a little homie, too. name. No, no, no, no. You're fine. You want the information, we'll give you the information. So, the name is going to be L E >> C R O Y >> L E >> C R O Y >> Lroy. Yes, sir. >> Please number anything. >> Uh, you can dial 770 2882000. When it prompts you for uniform patrol, you can click that. I don't know what number it is. Do >> you want me 8200? as we're calling down 541 advising 38 and drinking alcohol. >> You good? 93 with you. >> Yeah. When I tried to call you went straight to voicemail. >> Um if you want me to call them, they don't come out. He's more than able to call them. We complete the traffic stop and then if he wants to pull over safely somewhere and wait for a supervisor, >> he can call them and make contact with them. They're not going to come out though. >> What's that? >> They're not going to come out. Supervisor is not going to come out. He's going to have to call them. >> Okay. Sir, do you have your driver's license with you just so I can validate who's the driver? >> Yeah. I just got >> I'm fired up, man. I'm missing my baby stuff, man. >> I understand. I'm sorry for making glasses on. Look, just got these. Couldn't see. >> Yes, sir. >> Reach into my bag where there's a weapon inside. Okay, >> that's fine. You have one on your hip. >> And to be honest with you, I don't know what's with his tag. >> I'm not sure if he's about to go 108 or if he wants a supervisor to come out here on scene. Adam's phones is not working. Um, >> what? >> Yeah, even even our vin's not done here. Yeah. Say I just I got to see if if a sergeant is clear. >> I got a brand new 144 deadline car. I'm 100. I'm out here with Adams on his traffic stop. He has stopped a uh another police officer. Police officer is upset. He's requesting supervisor. I told Adams to inform him. I gave him information. You know, all of that. >> Okay. So, he's on the So, that's what he Adam said when he tried to call out his phone kept disconnecting. I said, "Let me call one and see where they're at." So, okay. Someone's on the way then. >> 81 in Mitchell. I mean, just past Mount Carmel on 81. Uh, Sergeant Phillips is on this one. >> Okay. Say again. I'm sorry. >> Um, I I don't know. When I pulled up, they were on the the fog line. I asked him several times to get on the other side. He said he's done this for 32 years. I said, "I understand, but I am big on safety." And then he said something like his son is autistic and he's on his way to something. Don't quote me. I thought it was like a concert or something. I'm not 100% sure, but he asked for all the information. I gave him all the information. He's sitting back in his car. And that's when I asked Adams. I said, "What do you what do you what is going on?" And he said, "I'm trying to call supervisor. I don't know if they're on the way out here." I said, "I'll call him real quick." Okay, that works. That's all. I'm just going to stand by just to stand by. Okay. >> Okay. Park. [Music] >> Sorry. I have uh my lieutenant and my sergeant coming out. >> We good, man. I need to get to this uh thing. to this uh okay >> to the school for his uh awards day. I'm late, man. >> All right, let me give him a call real quick and see if it's good to let you go. Okay, >> they're both on the way. >> Okay, he's saying he just wants to leave. >> Is your Is your phone messed up? >> I guess. I don't know. I think it keeps disconnecting from the Wi-Fi. Yes. It kept going straight to voicemail when I called to see if you were good. That's why I came out. >> Hey, uh he's he's just saying he's trying to get out of here. Do y'all still want to come out here or his uh non-verbal autistic daughter's graduation or son's graduation? One of the two. Just uh just the cruise lights. Uh, no. Originally I stopped them cuz the uh the tag wasn't coming back uh for anything. So I was going to confirm it was um actually registered. Um and then uh obviously the blue lights I wanted to make sure it wasn't someone impersonating. I am uh Clayton County. So, I guess he's he says he's the uh commander over SRO's [Music] >> 95. >> No, he wasn't like making anybody move out of the way. He has uh I'll go ask. >> Sir, do you do you want to see my supervisors or No. >> Uhuh. I got to get you to go to this uh graduation. >> Okay. He said no. He just wants to go to the graduation. [Music] >> Put him on speaker. >> Do what? You got You got a speaker? You got a speaker? >> Yeah. >> What's his name? >> Hold on. He wants to he wants to talk to you on speaker. >> Hey, sir. >> Sergeant Phillips. >> Hey, man. I'm a little upset right now. I'm good, but my son is autistic, nonverbal, and I'm late. His gra not graduates. It's called award ceremony. He graduates this year. I'm diabetic. I have an eight. So, everything is going fast right now. And I need to get help. But I'm calm down. >> Huh? >> Can you give me another 1011 and attach it to the Acadian problem? >> Yeah, I was upset, man. I told him, "I'm calm down now, but I got to get to this uh award ceremony cuz this is last year in school and I'm hungry, too." >> I got you. >> Yeah. So, I told him I'm good. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah, just like anything else or not. >> Deal with it every day. I know. >> Yep. >> Okay, man. Hey, man. You did your job, man. I'm just >> Okay. >> You see this right here? >> I do. >> I ain't touch. >> All right. Everything good? Just Just let him head out. 314 302. You can 222. Solomon. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Thank you, sir. >> Thank you, sir. >> Sorry for the inconvenience. >> Yeah, I got a a wife left. >> Trust me. >> All right. Have a good day. >> All right. >> Have a good one, sir. >> The officers allowed Lieutenant McClendon to leave without issuing a citation. It is unknown if Lieutenant McClendon filed a complaint or ever followed up with Officer Adams's supervisor. Overall, Lieutenant McClendon gets an F for maintaining a hostile and confrontational attitude throughout the encounter, attempting to use his law enforcement credentials to circumvent the traffic stop and for displaying fundamental misunderstandings about the authority of police officers during traffic stops. Lieutenant McClendon's conduct during the stop was wholly inconsistent with the standards of professionalism that are expected from an officer of his rank. His decision to exit his vehicle and approach the Henry County officers immediately created unnecessary tension and undermined their control of the scene. While citizens are not strictly prohibited from stepping out of their vehicles, law enforcement officers are trained to maintain distance and command presence for safety reasons. By disregarding those norms and placing himself in a position of confrontation, McClendon shifted the interaction away from a routine inquiry into an escalating power struggle. His conduct mirrored the kind of aggressive posturing that officers are trained to recognize as a red flag. And yet, he engaged in that behavior himself, demonstrating a disregard for both officer safety and public perception. Lieutenant McClendon further eroded his credibility by adopting a hostile and accusatory attitude throughout the interaction. His repeated references to racial bias in the absence of any evidence redirected the encounter away from Officer Adams's legitimate investigative concerns. While racial profiling is a serious and documented issue in law enforcement, invoking it reflexively in a situation that is grounded in statutory violations risks trivializing that claim. Perhaps the most troubling aspect of this encounter was Lieutenant McClendon's reliance on intimidation rather than cooperation. His decision to throw his weight around as a lieutenant and deputy rather than provide clarity on his vehicle's authorization bears striking resemblance to tactics that are used by police impersonators. The statutes that criminalize impersonation exist precisely because a badge, uniform, and flashing lights can be misused to compel submission from the public. It should also be noted that Shields of Shame submitted an open records request for Lieutenant McClendon's personnel records and uncovered multiple complaints against then Sergeant McClendon, including claims of sexual harassment, retaliation, and inappropriate behavior at a Hooters's restaurant. This interaction highlights how quickly authority can be corrupted when an officer places personal ego above professional duty and why strict adherence to statutory requirements is essential to preserving both legality and legitimacy in policing. The Henry County officers get a B+ because although the officers were calm and respectful, they granted Lieutenant McClendon a strong degree of deference because of his status as a member of law enforcement. They appeared to be genuinely confused about how to properly navigate the stop, and they ultimately allowed Lieutenant McClendon to intimidate them into allowing him to leave the scene without issue. The stop initiated by Officer Adams was legally justified under Georgia law, and observing blue emergency lights on an unmarked vehicle with no record of registration provided ample reasonable suspicion to investigate potential violations of the state's blue light statutes. Officer Adams maintained a professional tone and he avoided the kind of verbal escalation that might have inflamed the situation further. However, professionalism alone does not absolve the officers of their responsibility to enforce the law impartially. Once McClendon identified himself as a member of law enforcement, the tone of the stop shifted dramatically. Rather than assert authority over the stop, they allowed the lieutenant to walk freely around the scene, speak over their attempts at explanation, and dictate the terms of the encounter. In doing so, they effectively seated control of the stop to the very individual that they were investigating. This not only jeopardized officer safety, but also undermined the legitimacy of the traffic enforcement process. The rules surrounding emergency equipment on unmarked vehicles exist to protect the public from abuse and the officers unwillingness to enforce those rules in the face of status and intimidation created the appearance of preferential treatment. The Henry County officers also appear genuinely confused about their own jurisdictional authority over the lieutenant. While Lieutenant McClendon's dual roles as a school police lieutenant and deputy sheriff may have seemed unusual, his authority was ultimately irrelevant to the specific issue under investigation. Through allowing Lieutenant McClendon to steer the discussion toward his credentials and away from the legal matter at hand, the officers lost sight of the narrow but critical focus of the stop and demonstrated either a lack of confidence in their understanding of the law or an unwillingness to challenge a peer in uniform. Had a civilian driver been found operating an unmarked vehicle with unauthorized blue lights and no valid registration record, it is highly unlikely that this encounter would have unfolded in a similar manner. That said, it is important to note that the Henry County officer's restraint and avoidance of escalation prevented this situation from devolving into a physical confrontation. They prioritized deescalation over enforcement, likely out of concern for the risks associated with arresting or citing a fellow officer. And while this choice may be understandable, it nonetheless reflects the systemic challenge of police policing their own. The tension between professional courtesy and impartial enforcement was on full display in this stop, and the officer's decision ultimately fell short of their duty to uphold the law without fear or favor. Let us know if there is an interaction or legal topic that you would like us to discuss in the comments below. 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