Officer in Elandon Roberts traffic stop verbally reprimanded

The police officer who mishandled the traffic stop of New England Patriots linebacker Elandon Roberts received a verbal reprimand.

Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls said Friday that he apologized to Roberts for Deputy Adam Watkins' conduct, according to The Associated Press.

The traffic stop took place in March, outside Roberts' home. It took nearly 10 minutes for Roberts to be informed that he was being pulled over for speeding.

Watkins requested backup to deal with Roberts, who he referred to as a "big black man" who "wouldn't comply." Watkins ordered Roberts to return to his car after Roberts told him they were at his house. Watkins also threatened to arrest Roberts' wife if she didn't go back inside after she came outside the house to witness the situation.

"The way he interacted with his wife, I didn't appreciate the tone," Nehls said of Watkins.

In a statement that preceded the apology, Roberts accused the officer of racial bias and said he felt harassed.

"Unfortunately, these types of things are happening all too often to African Americans," Roberts said. "People are becoming desensitized to them. Being harassed in your own yard simply because you are a 'big black man' should never become the norm. To the person being harassed, it is frightening, disrespectful, and embarrassing."

Nehls said he had no issue with Watkins, a Caucasian officer, using race to describe Roberts.

"I think there have been traffic stops and interactions between white and black that have caused some of the most horrible, civil unrest in this country," he said. "We haven't experienced that in Fort Bend County."

Roberts was traveling 59 mph in a 35 mph zone, prompting the traffic stop. Sherrif's Capt. Steve Holtz said Watkins requested the ticket be changed to a warning.

The 25-year-old Roberts is entering his fourth season with the Patriots.