October 9, 2020
Black Versace Executive Accuses Beverly Hills Police Officers of Racial Profiling
Earlier this month, a Black Versace executive said he was stopped and searched by police officers while walking in Beverly Hills just for being Black, according to CNN.
Bembury posted the incident on his Instagram page.
“BEVERLY HILLS WHILE BLACK. I’M OK, MY SPIRIT IS NOT.”
“I’m in Beverly Hills right now and I’m getting fu***** searched for shopping at the store I work for and just being black,” he said in the video.
The police department released body camera footage of the October 1 encounter between Bembury and the police officers last week. It also released a statement on the incident.
“On October 1, 2020, at 4:46 p.m., Beverly Hills Police conducted a pedestrian enforcement stop at Camden Drive and Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills after Mr. Salehe Bembury was observed committing a pedestrian violation–VC 21456(c).
“Mr. Bembury admitted to the pedestrian violation and told the officers he was looking at the GPS on his phone to determine where he was heading. The entire detention lasted about 3 ½ minutes. Mr. Bembury consented to a search, was cleared of any outstanding warrants, and released with a warning. No citation was issued
“The Beverly Hills Police Department is committed to promoting traffic and pedestrian safety and has issued 61citations related to pedestrian violations since January.”
Donatella Versace also posted about the incident on her Instagram account.
“I am appalled this happened to Salehe Bembury today. He has been a consultant at Versace for a long time and the behavior he experienced is totally unacceptable. He was stopped on the street solely for the color of his skin. Stay strong @salehebembury. Sending you love and support x”