Government officials should release a police video of the car chase that led to the arrest of a local teen.

Another incident between Champaign police and a member of the minority community has roiled emotions and led to charges of racial prejudice.

Given the facts that are known, it's hard to put much stock in that charge. Facts yet to be revealed may or may not tell a different story.

Government officials need to do all they can to reassure the public, and that's why authorities should release a copy of the video of the police chase that occurred early Monday.

Unfortunately, State's Attorney Julia Rietz, acting out of a misguided sense of propriety, is refusing to provide copies of the video to the news media. Champaign Police Chief R.T. Finney has shown the video to select reporters, and it appears to vindicate much of the police version of events. That's good as far as it goes, but it doesn't go far enough.

In emotional cases like this, full disclosure is best for all concerned.

Until that happens, people can expect that law enforcement critic Martel Miller will continue to make charges of police brutality and racism by police against his son, Calvin.

The incident once again raises the question of how citizens, especially members of minority groups, should respond when they are the subject of a police traffic stop.

The answer is obvious — they must pull over and cooperate.

That's not what happened here, and that's what led to the problem. But don't take our word for it.

A pamphlet prepared by the Champaign County NAACP and published on its website states:

— ALWAYS be respectful and follow the officer's instructions immediately.

— don't run.

— don't touch the officer.

— don't resist.

Later, the pamphlet re-emphasizes an important point.

— never, ever run from the police or struggle to avoid being handcuffed.

If Calvin Miller had followed those simple rules, there would be no problem.

Authorities said police followed and attempted to pull over Calvin Miller early Monday after the van he was driving was spotted leaving a high-crime apartment complex at a high rate of speed, driving over a curb in the process.

Police followed Miller as he ignored traffic signals. Ultimately, Miller jumped from the moving van, which crashed into a house, and ran.

Not recorded on camera was the police foot chase and struggle. Miller contends he did not resist but police say he did, forcing them to subdue him.

Miller also claimed police rammed his van, but the video shows no collision.

The video, according to Rietz, also shows Calvin Miller apologizing to police, explaining that Miller ran "because he told me to."

That statement refers to Calvin Miller's alleged claim that his father told him he didn't have to stop for police and to call him if police tried to stop him. Martel Miller denied ever telling his son such a thing, and it's hard to believe that any father would ever offer such irresponsibly dangerous advice to his children.

Nonetheless, the import of Calvin Miller's statement — "because he told me to" — is clear. It was either an impromptu excuse on Miller's part to avoid responsibility for his conduct or he really was relying on his father's advice when he fled from police.

All this occurred in the context of public anger over the fatal police shooting two years ago of Kiwane Carrington Jr., who also impulsively attempted to run when his effort to force his way into a residence was interrupted by police. Authorities found that Carrington was accidently shot as he wrestled with a police officer.

Unfortunately, historical grievance and deep emotion frequently override facts. So when Calvin Miller tells people he fled from police because he feared for his life, some accept that as a legitimate reason for his conduct. Further, when Calvin Miller and his father tell people that the police version of the event is a complete fabrication and that he was subjected to an unlawful, unprovoked beating some people are inclined to believe it.

That's why the video must be released. If the video shows what Rietz, Finney and disinterested reporters say it shows, people who are persuadable will be persuaded. If it doesn't, it's a big problem.

State's Attorney Rietz said Friday that she believes her reputation as a conscientious public official ought to be sufficient to persuade the public, particularly the minority community, that her description of the video is accurate. She does have a good reputation, but it is most certainly not good enough in the context of racial suspicion fanned by events of this sort.

Rietz, however, did suggest she would not object if Police Chief R.T. Finney releases the video. Frankly, it matters not who releases the video, but a decent respect for public opinion requires that someone do so.