Joseph Griffin was jogging in a predominantly White neighborhood in Florida last month when he was handcuffed and detained after police said he fit the description of a burglary suspect. The 28-year-old military vet revealed that he's since been extended a job offer by the sheriff's department to help with bias training.
According to a report on the incident, sheriffs were on the lookout for a man suspected of stealing a leaf blower when one deputy came upon Griffin.
"Hey Buddy, you're not in any trouble or anything. There's a burglary that happened - you kind of fit the description," the officer is heard saying on his body camera. "Let me just make sure that you're not him."
Griffin, with a surprised look on his face, complies and pulls out his ID. The officer explains to Griffin that he was told the suspect had a white tank top, black shorts, and a beard.
"So, I'm not saying it's you, but it was a Black male - again - not saying it's you, buddy," the officer reiterates.
Griffin started a Facebook Live and recorded the encounter as the detaining officer radioed his colleagues. Griffin was eventually released and cleared of any involvement before the real suspect was later identified and arrested.
"I learned that Mr. Griffin was a former military police officer. I asked if he would come in and do trainings with our entire staff," said Sheriff Mike Chitwood. "He was surprised about it and agreed. Due to [COVID-19], we can only train 20 people at a time. We will start trainings early October and keep doing it. I also offered him a job. We have 40 openings now. But he declined that offer, saying he had a job in health care."
Reflecting on the encounter, Griffin referred to the incident as a teaching moment for America.
