Virginia county exec pulls ‘do you know who I am’ card during traffic stop. Then claims the officer disrespected him: ‘No idea who I was’
"Did you hear who I told you I am?"
Fairfax County, Virginia, County Executive Bryan Hill allegedly tried to use his status to get out of receiving a ticket when he was stopped by police on Friday. The politician then claimed the officer had disrespected him, prompting the Fairfax County Police to defend its officer.
On Oct. 16, Hill was stopped by an officer along Sully Road for not having a license plate mounted on the front of his Cadillac. Hill identified himself by name and position, but when the officer requested his ID and vehicle registration, Hill responded, “Did you hear who I told you I am?” according to body-camera footage obtained by 7News.
In the footage, Hill appeared to shake his head in annoyance as he searched for his vehicle registration. He later told the officer he was on his way to an event, but was now “late” due to the traffic stop.
Virginia politician denies using his position to evade ticket
Hill confirmed with the Daily Mail that he “identified myself twice as the county executive.” However, he claimed that the introduction was not “intended to influence how the officer carried out his responsibilities.”
Hill’s interaction with Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis, however, says otherwise. According to Davis, Hill had contacted him during and after the traffic stop, during which the County Executive accused the officer of being “disrespectful” and said he “had no idea who I was” on a call. Hill also claimed that if he had shown his badge, the officer would have let him go, per Davis’ account.
Davis reportedly defended the officer during his call with Hill, stating it was a Commonwealth statute to have a license placed mounted on the front of a vehicle. “I also told him his allegation [that] the officer was ‘disrespectful’ is something I will review immediately and take seriously,” Davis said. “I have reviewed the BWC in its entirety. The young officer was 100% professional, cordial, and polite at all times. There will be no internal action taken against the officer whatsoever.”
Hill issues apology
Hill later apologized for his actions in a statement obtained by 7News. In his statement, Hill reasoned that he was unaware that placing his license plate on his front windshield did not comply with Virginia law.
“I apologize for any difficulty the exchange may have created for the officer,” Hill said. “I also contacted Police Chief Kevin Davis to make him aware of the traffic stop and commend the officer’s professionalism. I appreciate the important work our police officers do every day. I received a warning and have since corrected the license plate placement.”
Davis reportedly commended the officer’s actions, saying he “performed in an exemplary manner consistent with our expectations and training.” He added that the officer “did a great job under a tough circumstance that was not created by him.”
Meanwhile, Hill has been the Fairfax County Executive since his appointment in January 2018 by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
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