Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore says he has apologized to the Providence Police Department for his behavior when officers pulled him over for motor vehicle violations, an incident he initially described as “racism at its finest.”
The 25-year-old standout, who has been out of action this season with blood clots, received three motor vehicle violations from the early Wednesday morning incident: operation of an unregistered vehicle, display of plates penalties, and driving with an expired registration.
“A few days have gone by since the incident with the Providence police and I have had a chance to deeply reflect on my behavior,” Barmore said Saturday afternoon in an X post. “I want everyone to know that I’m sorry and I take full accountability for my actions. I apologize to the Providence Police Department, my teammates, and my family.”
“My mother was a police officer and I understand the pressures related to their job. Which I didn’t make any easier by reacting in the manner that I did,” Barmore added. “I am using this as an opportunity to learn and do better.”
“I have already met with members of the Providence Police Department to apologize in person,” he concluded. “It is my hope that they accept my sincere apology. That meeting is just the first step of many that I am taking on the route to self improvement.”
Police pulled over a matte grey Jeep Grand Cherokee minutes before 1 a.m. Wednesday after noticing tinted windows and a plate cover on a temporary registration, “causing issues on reading the information,” a police report states.
The vehicle’s operator, later identified as Barmore, “slow rolled” from Elmwood Avenue and Brigham Street before coming to a complete stop in front of 343 Broad St., on the South Side of Providence, close to Roger Williams Park Zoo.
“This tactic is known to police by slowing down an interaction with police to hide any contraband or weapons,” the police report states. “It should also be noted that the area is known for high narcotic usage.”
After being approached, Barmore asked officers why they pulled him over before they informed him of their “observations.” Officers determined the temporary registration expired earlier this month, on Oct. 5.
The police report states that Barmore did not provide an updated registration and gave officers an “attitude and asked for a ticket.” Police alerted him that the vehicle would be towed away from the scene and that they’d search it.
Inside the vehicle, officers found “an ash cup along with what appeared to be a blunt rolled with an unknown substance where he was seen reaching under the seat. Under the passenger side seat, we found what appeared to be several tubes filled with marijuana,” the report states.
Barmore reportedly left the scene in a black Dodge Challenger, “while still giving police a hard time.”
The defensive tackle took to X roughly 20 to 30 minutes after the interaction, posting, “I just experienced for the first time 5 Providence cops being very unprofessional racism at it’s finest.”
In response to the allegations, Police Col. Oscar Perez encouraged Barmore to “reach out to the Providence Police Department so we can address (his concerns and questions) in a constructive manner.”
“We understand that any encounter with law enforcement can be stressful, however, it’s important to note that officers are required to enforce all applicable laws, including those related to vehicle registration,” Perez said in a statement. “We will continue to review the situation to ensure that proper procedures were followed and to maintain transparency with the public.”
The Providence Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #3 condemned Barmore’s allegations Wednesday night, saying he “falsely accuse(d) officers of the Providence Police Department of unprofessionalism and racism.” The union also called on Barmore to “publicly rescind his false accusations against our police officers and issue a similarly public apology.”
“The situation would have and could have been nothing more than a routine traffic stop,” the union stated in a Facebook post, “but not for the uncooperative and argumentative behavior of the driver towards the police officers, which ultimately escalated the atmosphere of the stop.
In their incident report, responding officers highlighted how Barmore resisted getting out of the vehicle and how “while we were trying to get control of Barmore, he kept pushing away from police stating that he did not want to be touched.”
“Due to Barmore’s belligerent behavior and not wanting to stay on scene, we left his summons in the vehicle along with his license and documents,” the report states.
Barmore has been on the non-football illness list after being diagnosed with blood clots early in training camp, in late July. Head Coach Jerod Mayo hinted last week that the star defensive tackle could potentially return before the season ends.
“He’s progressing,” Mayo said of Barmore. “He still has some checkpoints or hurdles to get over, but he’s progressing.”
Barmore received a four-year, $84 million contract extension with the Patriots in April. The 2021 second-round pick was one of the NFL’s best defensive tackles last season, registering 8.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss and 16 QB hits in 17 games.
