Singer Tank Arrested In New Orleans, Claims Police Brutality

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Site Last Updated: 5:45 AM EDT, December 1, 2008	Make BallerStatus Your Homepage

Published: Monday - February 18, 2008
Words by Allen Starbury

Tank in custody following the arrest. (Photo: Julia Beverly (OzoneMag.com))

R&B singer Tank was tased and arrested outside the House of Blues in New Orleans early Monday morning (February 18) on several charges including disorderly conduct.

However, Tank claims he was a victim of police brutality.

The singer and Ira Dewitt, the CEO of Notifi Music Group, were headed for an afterparty for NBA All-Star Weekend at the House of Blues. When they began to walk into the direction of the club, they were blocked from doing so by police men, due to a shooting in the area.

According to an eyewitness account by Ira, the police were rude, harassing both Tank and herself, before telling them they could not enter the area.

In response, Tank told the policemen "Why are you gonna be like that?" Then, immediately began to walk way. That's when three police alleged attacked Tank and began using their tasers on him.

"We started walking away," Ira told MediaTakeOut.com, "but they grabbed Tank and threw him against the wall. [The cops] bent one of his arms up and the other arm back and asked him to do something. Tank told them that he couldn't and before you knew it, there were three cops all over him... and they tased him."

Tank was arrested and booked, and was reportedly released on bail Monday.

One source told BallerStatus.com that several police officers were actually overheard making sexual comments about the woman after Tank was in custody. However, Julia Beverly, founder of Ozone magazine, added that "overall the police in New Orleans this weekend (in my experience) did a good job of keeping things safe without being overbearing."

The singer was coming off his first two Grammy nominations -- for Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B album for Sex, Love & Pain. While he did not win, he was excited about the nominations beforehand.

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COMMENTS (12)

geno Says:
Thursday - February 28, 2008 at 1:52am

these police r bigger bad guys than the people they arrest. then they got the nerve to say they want criminals up off da curbs. these cops cant stand to see a black man breathing

butta scotch Says:
Thursday - February 21, 2008 at 1:11pm

dagg da police did him bogas

G "does not know" nothing Says:
Wednesday - February 20, 2008 at 11:45am

To G Nothing who also KNOWS nothing: So do you think you are the savior of these "weak-minded" people and just because you don't believe what you read you're a genius? Do you believe 9/11? If so, you're wrong because that was set up. You probably didn't believe that Dwight Howard won the Dunk contest because the media put it out right... There are a lot of lies told by the media, but EVERYTHING is not. And who are you to CLAIM that you have facts?! Only the people involved that were not intoxicated know them. And if your source is the NOPD, thats not acceptable because of course they're going to defend themselves. Get your facts and OPINIONS straight before you try to go on everyone else.

p Says:
Tuesday - February 19, 2008 at 9:25pm

I dont know what to say because I was there during All-Star weekend and it was honestly one of the best times of my life. New Orleans is so beautiful and probably the most amazing place I have ever been to

G nothing Says:
Tuesday - February 19, 2008 at 4:12pm

T-baby, yes I have seen him. Were you there. There are bad cops like there are bad black people, but does that mean every cop or black person is bad? A person under arrest has to comply with the officers commands. Tank didn't. All he had to do was place his hands behind his back. You can't pick and choose what laws you want to obey. What do you have to say about the comments saying the cops were all white and racist when thye truth is that most of them were black and doing their job. Will you say anything to those racist who are slandering the white cops? I guess not, because when you admit the truth, you can no longert claim eternial victim status.

T Baby Says:
Tuesday - February 19, 2008 at 3:20pm

to G Nothing...have you ever seen Tank in person? would it REALLY take 3 cops and tasing to stop him? I THINK NOT!!!! even if the cops WERE in the right...they NORMALLY handle situations with too much force.

G Nothing Says:
Tuesday - February 19, 2008 at 6:40am

All of you are so weak minded that you read what is printed and automatically assume it is true. Fact one: Tank was drunk and acting an ass to several cops, who happen to be black, while they were securing a scene in which 3 black people were shot outside of a club. Fact Two: Despite Tank demands that he be let through the line, they would not let him. So the all important Tank began to threaten cops with violence. Fact Three: Two females tried to get him to leave and the cops were still willing to let him go, until he threatened them with more violence. Fact Four: Tank was tased, but only after numerous commands to comply. This happen in the open and after he was tased he was handcuffed and taken to jail, uninjured. Listen to the propaganda by Tank and his "get the money girls", or ask the NOPD what really happen, then judge the police, but do it with all of the facts. After you do that, some of you will realize that you only need to look in the mirror to find the real racist.

keelan Says:
Tuesday - February 19, 2008 at 2:52am

This makes no sense. This is yet another incident that further lets me know that these police need to be phsycologically tested. what kind of human being in a professional capacity acts this way. Power seems to be privilege to do and act as one pleases but this needs to stop. These acts of violence are more prevalent in black communitities than in other communities and this needs to be addressed. I'm sick of hearing of these incidents.

SMH Says:
Monday - February 18, 2008 at 8:47pm

Im not shocked, the cops are worse then the criminals these days.

Adrienne Huff Says:
Monday - February 18, 2008 at 8:12pm

These racist wannabe thugs cops need to be off the force. They act like animals. Tank should file a lawsuit. Blacks males and females keep being victims by these beast. I say we start a riot because this isn't going to stop. Where are our Black politicians? Waiting on brother Al Sharpton to do something? He is only one person.

jason Says:
Monday - February 18, 2008 at 7:56pm

Wow talk about corruption in the police force.

G-Wagon Says:
Monday - February 18, 2008 at 6:20pm

wow, then down south police love to beat on a black man dont they?