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CATA Releases Video of Arrest, Officer Reassigned

  //automotive-transportation.news-articles.net/co .. releases-video-of-arrest-officer-reassigned.html
  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Wednesday, January 28th 2026 at 15:11 GMT by WILX-TV
      Locales: Michigan, UNITED STATES

EAST LANSING, MI - The Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) released security video footage today, Wednesday, January 28th, 2026, documenting an arrest at the East Lansing transportation center on January 22nd. The release follows an internal review of the incident which has resulted in the reassignment of a CATA police officer involved in the apprehension.

The video, publicly available on CATA's website, shows a confrontation between a CATA employee and an individual now identified as Marcus Bell, 28, of Holt, Michigan. While the full context of the interaction isn't entirely clear from the released footage, it depicts a verbal exchange escalating into a physical altercation before the arrival of CATA police. Bell was taken into custody following the incident. Police have confirmed Bell is facing charges of assault and resisting arrest, with potential additional charges pending investigation into allegations of fare evasion and disorderly conduct.

CATA officials have been tight-lipped regarding the specifics of the confrontation, citing the ongoing investigation and the need to protect the integrity of the legal process. However, they confirmed the internal review was initiated immediately after the incident. That review focused not only on the actions of the suspect, but also on the procedures and conduct of the officers involved in the arrest.

"We take all interactions with the public seriously," stated CATA spokesperson, Deborah Miller, in a press conference this afternoon. "CATA is committed to ensuring the safety and security of our riders and employees. The release of this video and the subsequent personnel action are a demonstration of that commitment."

The reassignment of the officer, identified as Officer David Chen, has become the central focus of public discussion. CATA has declined to specify the reason for the reassignment, stating only that it was a direct outcome of the internal review and does not necessarily indicate wrongdoing. This lack of transparency has drawn criticism from local activist groups.

"While we appreciate CATA releasing the video, the silence surrounding the officer's reassignment is concerning," said Sarah Jenkins, director of the Greater Lansing Coalition for Police Accountability. "Transparency is crucial for building trust between law enforcement and the community. Without knowing the specifics of what led to this decision, it's difficult to assess whether appropriate action is being taken."

The incident and CATA's response occur against a backdrop of increased public scrutiny of law enforcement interactions nationwide. Following several high-profile cases of alleged police misconduct in recent years, there's been a growing demand for greater accountability and transparency. The use of body cameras and the public release of video footage, like CATA's decision today, are becoming more common practices, though not without debate. Critics argue that releasing selective footage can be misleading, while proponents maintain it's essential for public oversight.

The East Lansing Police Department (ELPD) is assisting CATA with the ongoing investigation into the broader circumstances surrounding the arrest. ELPD Chief Larry Stevenson released a statement acknowledging the collaboration and emphasizing the importance of a thorough and impartial investigation.

CATA officials state they are cooperating fully with the ELPD investigation. They have also announced plans to conduct a comprehensive review of their security protocols and officer training programs to identify areas for improvement. This review will include input from community stakeholders and will focus on de-escalation techniques and implicit bias training. The agency hopes these steps will proactively address potential issues and enhance public trust. The full video and related documentation is available on the CATA website, with the agency promising further updates as the investigation progresses.