Bully Pulls the Race Card During Traffic Stop — It Backfires

A routine traffic stop in Redding, California, quickly turns into a heated argument after a driver challenges the reason for the stop and accuses officers of racial profiling.

THE TRAFFIC STOP BEGINS

On November 4, 2023, Redding police stopped a vehicle driven by Michael Ward. Officer Dahnke initially told him the reason for the stop was the apparent lack of a front license plate.

Ward responded that the plate may have fallen off. Moments later, Officer Dahnke checked again and acknowledged that the plate was actually present but difficult to see.

WHAT STARTED AS A SIMPLE LICENSE-PLATE ISSUE QUICKLY TURNED INTO A MUCH MORE COMPLICATED TRAFFIC STOP.

THE ARGUMENT OVER TINTED WINDOWS

After the license-plate issue was clarified, officers raised another concern involving the vehicle's tinted windows. Ward disputed the officers' interpretation of the tint law and argued that the tint was legal.

The discussion became increasingly tense as Ward questioned why he had been stopped.

THE DRIVER THEN ACCUSED THE OFFICERS OF RACIAL PROFILING.

OFFICERS DISCUSS THE “RACE CARD”

Court records say the bodycam footage captured an exchange in which an officer told another officer that Ward was claiming racial profiling. The footage and recordings later became part of a federal civil-rights lawsuit filed by Ward.

Ward alleged that the stop was racially motivated, while the court found that the allegations and video evidence described in the case were insufficient to establish a Fourteenth Amendment racial-discrimination claim.

BODYCAM BECOMES KEY EVIDENCE

The case involved seven police bodycam recordings from the November 4 traffic stop and subsequent arrest. The court reviewed the footage as part of its consideration of Ward's claims.

THE BODYCAM FOOTAGE PROVIDED A RECORD OF THE ENTIRE ENCOUNTER — INCLUDING THE DISPUTE OVER THE REASON FOR THE STOP.

The federal court ultimately recommended dismissal of Ward's case in April 2025.