Driver Gives 'White Privilege Card' To AK Police; Traffic Stop Probed

ANCHORAGE, AK — Two Anchorage police officers violated department policy by letting a driver go during a traffic stop after showing the officers a "white privilege card," according to a report.

The driver, identified as Mimi Israelah, wrote in a since-deleted Facebook post that the officer asked for her driver's license during the traffic stop last month.

"I looked in my wallet but couldn't find it," she wrote at the time. "When I saw my White Privilege card, I gave to him if it's ok. He laughed and called his partner. It's their first time to see a White Privilege card."

In the post, a smiling Israelah, wearing a MAGA hat, poses for a selfie with the officer while holding the card. She just arrived from an early-morning flight from California to attend a rally for former President Donald Trump, according to The Associated Press.

In a separate video recorded by Israelah, she laughs during the stop and asks the officers if they like her card. One officer responds: "That's hilarious."

The Anchorage Daily News reported that the department learned of the July 7 traffic stop two days later. Sunny Guerin, a police spokeswoman, told the newspaper the car was weaving around 3:30 a.m.

“While this is not a citable offense, it is one of many indicators an officer uses as a possible sign of driving under the influence,” police spokeswoman Guerin told the newspaper in an email.

Deputy Chief Sean Case said in a statement during.a public safety committee meeting Wednesday the post "caused a bit of a public uproar." Many people did not like the post and had "negative reactions to that — thought it was an inappropriate post — and we recognize that,” he said.

The officers, identified by the newspaper as Nicholas Bowe and Charles Worland, were reportedly placed on administrative leave. The investigation into their conduct will not be released publicly, the spokeswoman told the newspaper.

“Per the municipal attorney’s office we are unable to answer these questions as the incident is currently under investigation and it relates to personnel matters,” Guerin told The Associated Press in an email.

Michael Kerle, the police chief, posted a message Tuesday on the department’s website saying their mission is to protect and serve the community in "the most professional and compassionate manner possible."

"Our vision is to create an environment where everyone matters," he said.