Recently, Chief Michel Moore of the Los Angeles Police Department announced the initiation of a use of force investigation regarding the arrest of Jaxson Hayes, the Pelicans center. Hayes was taken into custody in Los Angeles following a reported domestic dispute that led to an alleged altercation with responding officers.
The Los Angeles Police Protective League sent a letter to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver urging action against Hayes for his conduct during the incident.
According to the police union, the 6’11, 220-pound Hayes resisted arrest and allegedly assaulted an officer. A tweet from TMZ Sports highlighted the LAPD Union’s appeal for the NBA to penalize Hayes for the alleged assault during the forceful arrest.
In the letter addressed to Commissioner Silver, the officers expressed that Hayes’ actions were unlawful and entirely unacceptable, constituting a clear violation of several NBA policies.
The union requested a thorough investigation into Hayes’ behavior before, during, and after the altercation, urging appropriate corrective actions to hold him accountable for his actions.
Emphasizing the need for prompt action based on video evidence, the union stressed the significance of swift response to the incident.
Furthermore, the union voiced concerns over Hayes reportedly using a racial slur towards the officers, equating it to the consequences faced by NBA player Meyers Leonard for using an anti-Semitic term during a video game stream in March.
The letter called for an inquiry into Hayes’ use of the racial slur during the altercation, emphasizing the necessity to uphold the NBA’s values of equality, tolerance, inclusion, and respect.
Towards the end of the letter, LAPPL urged Commissioner Silver and the NBA to make a strong statement against assaulting police officers, urging a clear stance on such behavior within the league.
The union hoped for resolute action in response to the seriousness of the incident.
Jaxson Hayes, a 21-year-old and the eighth overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, averaged 7.5 points per game in 60 appearances last season.
