INTERNAL PROBE LAUNCHED INTO RACIAL PROFILING ACCUSATIONS

CHARLESTON -- Police Chief Jerry Riffe said Thursday he has begun an
internal investigation of allegations that police officers used racial
profiling in an incident in which three black college students were pulled
over, handcuffed and searched.

"We've had no complaint filed with us," Riffe said. "However, when we
become aware of a situation like this when there is (a report of) excessive
force or racial profiling used, we automatically initiate an internal
investigation, which we've done."

The officers have said they were just doing their jobs when they pulled
over the West Virginia State College students Tuesday night.

Police said the driver, Courtney Shannon, 22, of Chicago, was pulled over
after committing traffic violations. Shannon was told he did not use a turn
signal. Nine police officers, in uniform and street clothes, surrounded the
car with guns drawn about 9:30 p.m. and ordered Shannon and the two
passengers from the car. The students were handcuffed, forced to their
knees and searched.

The students said an officer insisted someone had walked up to the car just
before the men left a barber shop and that they took a plastic bag with
something white in it from him.