NY man tackled by police on camera during BLM protests announces run for sheriff

A Buffalo, N.Y., man who made headlines after he was filmed being tackled by police during a Black Lives Matter protest last year has announced his intention to run for county sheriff.

Myles Carter announced his candidacy for Erie County Sheriff on Monday during a press conference. According to The Buffalo News, the latest voting record indicates that Carter is a Democrat. 

And while he does not have prior law enforcement experience, Carter told WGRZ his knowledge as a community activist could lend a fresh perspective to the position. 

“Myles has a strategic plan, one that places the focus of corrections from supervision to one of reform,” his campaign said, according to The Buffalo News. “He plans to focus jail spending on programs in the way of drug abuse/addiction, mental health, social work and skills training.”

Carter aims to tackle issues ailing the county’s prisons, which he says the incumbent sheriff, Republican Timothy Howard, hasn’t adequately addressed.

“We are dealing with a County Jail system that has been found to be guilty of murder and multiple counts of rape of sexual misconduct,” he said, according to the Buffalo News. “We must put an end to this insidious culture that has been allowed to fester under current Sheriff Howard and begin working towards restoring incarcerated individuals back into our community.”

Carter garnered media attention after an incident in June during which he was tackled from behind by police while giving an interview at a Black Lives Matter protest last year. Carter, a father of five, had his hands up in the air as he spoke to the reporter. The local outlet WIVB-TV, aired the footage shortly after the event. 

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown (D) later referred to Carter as “an agitator.” Following the mayor’s comment, Carter held a press conference to comment on the way protesters were talked about by politicians and lawmakers, The Buffalo News reported.

Carter is the 10th candidate vying for Howard’s position when he retires, according to the Buffalo news source.