SALISBURY, NC (WBTV) -A week after a Salisbury pastor teamed up with the NAACP to express concerns about police mistreatment, WBTV has obtained video that contradicts the pastor's statements.
Reverend Bill Godair of Cornerstone Church held a press conference last week with the head of the Salisbury-Rowan NAACP to say citizens were being mistreated by officers with the Salisbury Police Department, and the Godair himself had been a victim.
"Approximately one year ago, I felt I was extremely mistreated by a Salisbury Police officer (I have never shared this with you)," Godair said in an email to Salisbury Mayor Paul Woodson and city council member Karen Alexander. "My wife was in my vehicle when this incident occurred and was scared by his actions. We honestly thought that I would be arrested."
Godair's complaint had to do with his being pulled over for speeding in 2013. The pastor said that he threw a toothpick out of the window of his car so that it wouldn't be in his mouth when he spoke to the officer. Godair said the officer was aggressive in questioning him about what he threw out the window.
Godair did not file a complaint with police at the time of the incident, according to police records.
In the presser Godair said that he was stopped for speeding while he was rushing to the hospital to visit a member of his church after preaching at a funeral. He says that the officer was aggressive towards him and threatened to have him arrested, and he says that his wife was afraid because of the officer's attitude.
