Clayton County Schools Police Department
Our story begins with an anonymous tip about Ernest Mitchell and Derek McClendon. We will focus on McClendon first. The tipster stated “McClendon was involved in a major incident with the Henry County Police Department on February 6, 2025. There is BWC video and dashcam video of the volatile traffic stop. Both officers have been promoted beyond there abilities and have been protected by the superintendent and some school board members.”
Henry County Traffic Stop Sparks Controversy Over Alleged Impersonation and Racial Tensions
Henry County, GA – February 6, 2025 – A tense encounter between a Henry County Police Department (HCPD) officer and Derek McClendon, a lieutenant with the Clayton County Schools Police Department, during a traffic stop on February 6, 2025, has ignited debate over law enforcement conduct, professional courtesy, and allegations of racial profiling. The incident unfolded in Henry County, Georgia, and has raised questions about the legitimacy of the stop and the potential for impersonation.
The confrontation began when an HCPD officer pulled over McClendon, citing an unregistered motor vehicle as the reason for the stop. According to the transcript, the vehicle’s tag returned as “not on file” with no outstanding warrants. McClendon, identifying himself as a law enforcement officer with 33 years of experience, including roles as a detective, SWAT team member, and deputy sheriff with the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office, questioned the officer’s motives and demanded the legal basis for the stop. However as seen is McClendon’s Post certification he only has 2 hours of SWAT training.
“I’m a little upset right now because you pulled me over, and it’s embarrassing,” McClendon said, noting he was en route to his son’s “autistic graduation,” an event he described as a once-in-a-lifetime milestone. He repeatedly asked for the officer’s badge number and supervisor’s contact information, accusing the officer of violating his rights and delaying him unnecessarily. “You just pulled me over for nothing!” McClendon exclaimed, growing increasingly frustrated.
The officer maintained that the stop was lawful, insisting McClendon return to his vehicle so he could complete his duties. “Sir, I cannot do my job if you don’t get back in your car,” the officer repeated as McClendon remained outside, escalating the situation. At one point, McClendon mocked the officer’s tone and questioned whether the officer doubted his credentials, pointing to his uniform and Clayton County insignia. “You see my right side? It says lieutenant, right?” he asked, to which the officer responded affirmatively.
Tensions peaked when McClendon accused the officer of racial bias, stating, “No, no, no, that ain’t what this is… I’m Black, that’s what this is about.” The officer dismissed McClendon’s claim about missing his son’s graduation, saying, “I don’t care about your son graduating!”—a remark McClendon demanded be repeated “so a judge can see how ignorant you are.”
McClendon vehemently denied impersonating an officer, asking, “How am I impersonating an officer?” while emphasizing his credentials. “You think somebody just riding around with blue lights on?” he challenged, referencing his vehicle’s markings. The officer did not directly address the impersonation concern in the dialogue provided.
The exchange ended unresolved, with McClendon threatening legal action—“I will deal with your administrative in the morning!”—and expressing his intent to leave. “I’m fixing to pull off, that’s what I’m fixing to do!” he declared.
This incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of traffic stops in Georgia, following reports of impersonators posing as officers in nearby regions. Just days earlier, on February 1, 2025, the Towns County Sheriff’s Office warned of a man conducting fake traffic stops in northeast Georgia, though no direct link to this case has been established.
McClendon’s allegations of racial profiling and the emotional stakes he described. For now, the transcript stands as a raw snapshot of a heated moment, leaving the public to ponder the line between authority, accountability, and mutual respect in law enforcement interactions.
Teaser videos
The first thing I had to do was get the dash cam from the incident, then send requests to the Clayton County Schools Police Department.
The request for the dash cam
Now on to the requests to the Clayton County Schools Police Department
The phone call for the following email to Margaret Hudgins
The attachments from the email
***ORR*** Submitted 3.30.25
Emaied – Openrecordsrequests@clayton.k12.ga.us
I am requesting records related to Ernest Mitchell and Dereck McClendon, Clayton County Schools Police Department.
Image on file / Service photo – used to ensure accuracy that we have the right cop!
Any Garrity on file – will show if there were any internal investigations on the two cops. There are none
Any IA case numbers associated with either Ernest Mitchell or Dereck McClendon
1st page of all use of force incidents
all public and internal complaints
Type of body cam the agency uses – 0
I tried to call back but kept getting voice mail so I sent a new email and request.
The attached video
4.4.25 and we just received the files requested from Clayton County
Video Transcript for the 2.6.25. This is a partial transcript. The entire video was not transcribed.
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