Documentary about controversial 2015 Austin PD arrest nominated for Academy Award

In this June 15, 2015, frame from dash cam video, Breaion King is led by officers during a traffic stop in Austin, Texas. The black Texas teacher who was thrown to the ground by a white officer during the traffic stop, and then told by another white officer on the way to jail that blacks have “violent tendencies,” said Friday, July 22, 2016, she is grateful the police chief has publicly apologized. The footage released July 21, of the arrest is the latest in a string of videos showing tense encounters between police and blacks across the country. (Austin Police Department via AP) less In this June 15, 2015, frame from dash cam video, Breaion King is led by officers during a traffic stop in Austin, Texas. The black Texas teacher who was thrown to the ground by a white officer during the ... more Photo: Associated Press Photo: Associated Press Image 1 of / 23 Caption Close Documentary about controversial 2015 Austin PD arrest nominated for Academy Award 1 / 23 Back to Gallery

A fiery documentary that digs into a controversial 2015 arrest of an Austin teacher could win accolades at this year's Academy Awards.

"Traffic Stop" is a short HBO documentary about the June 2015 encounter between Breaion King, a 26-year-old black woman, and two white Austin police officers that stemmed from a routine traffic stop. King was pulled over for driving 15 mph over the speed limit and was immediately ordered out of her car by APD Officer Bryan Richter.

Damning dash-cam footage, obtained and released by the Austin-American Statesmen in 2016, shows Richter yelling at King as he body-slams her to the ground and subsequently arrests her. While driving King to jail, King and APD Officer Patrick Spradlin have a conversation – recorded by a separate in-car camera – about race relations with police officers.

RICHTER FIRED: Reprimanded Austin officer fired in another violent arrest

Spradlin could be heard asking King "Why are so many people afraid of black people?"

King says that's something she's trying to find out herself.

Spradlin then says, "I can give you a really good idea why it might be that way," he said. "Violent tendencies."

He went on to say "I don't blame" white people for being afraid of black people.

"Some (black people), because of their appearance and whatnot, some of them are very intimidating," he said.

The release of the video, nearly a year after the arrest, was a catalyst of sorts for nationwide conversations about police and people of color. Art Acevedo, Houston's police chief who was then the top cop in Austin, condemned both officers' actions at the time.

"For those that think life is perfect for people of color, I want you to listen to that conversation and tell me we don't have social issues in this nation," said Acevedo, who is Hispanic. "Issues of bias. Issues of racism. Issues of people being looked at different because of their color."

King never filed a formal complaint, although Richter was reprimanded. However, Richter was fired from APD on Monday for a separate yet similar incident.

"Traffic Stop" is nominated under the Documentary (Short Subject) category. It's up against "Edith+Eddie," "Heaven Is a Traffic Jam on the 405," "Herion(e)" and "Knife Skills."

The 90th Oscars starts at 7 p.m. CST March 4 on ABC.

Jay R. Jordan is a breaking news reporter at Chron.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan.