Post by KC on Jan 5, 2007 22:19:11 GMT -5
BAY COUNTY (WJRT) - (01/05/07)-- A Michigan State Police trooper has been charged with one count of assault and battery, stemming for an alleged incident that happened nearly two years ago.
Trooper Douglas Hunt worked at the Bay City State post for nearly eight years. He now works at the Bridgeport post, but it was while he was assigned in Bay City that the purported assault and battery took place.
The charge was filed by Tuscola County Prosecutor Mark Reene, who acted as a special prosecuting attorney after an internal investigation by the state police.
The incident dates back to February 2005 following a police chase in Bay City. The allegation states that Michigan State Police Trooper Douglas Hunt struck a man once while trying to arrest him.
Reene last month charged Trooper Hunt with one count of misdemeanor assault and battery.
Such a action is a department violation. State police policy states that an officer can only use force necessary to make an arrest.
In the original police report, Trooper Hunt wrote that he tried to stop a car, which, he says, was driving erratically near Bay City's Kiesal Street around 2 o'clock in the morning.
The report also states the driver reached speeds over 90 miles an hour, ran several stop signs, and at one point, almost hit a brick wall.
Trooper Hunt then stated the man got out of his car and started running. A Bay City police officer caught and handcuffed the man on Dewitt Street.
At the end of his report, Trooper Hunt stated that he couldn't identify the man because he was lying on his stomach, so he (Hunt) grabbed the man by the head and identified him.
The man then wouldn't stand up, so Trooper Hunt and another officer stood him up.
The prosecutor wouldn't specify exactly when the mentioned assault took place.
Along with the criminal charge, Trooper Hunt could face disciplinary action, which could be anything from counseling to dismissal from the force.
We spoke with Trooper Hunt's attorney today, who says his client is innocent.
abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=local&id=4909694
Trooper Douglas Hunt worked at the Bay City State post for nearly eight years. He now works at the Bridgeport post, but it was while he was assigned in Bay City that the purported assault and battery took place.
The charge was filed by Tuscola County Prosecutor Mark Reene, who acted as a special prosecuting attorney after an internal investigation by the state police.
The incident dates back to February 2005 following a police chase in Bay City. The allegation states that Michigan State Police Trooper Douglas Hunt struck a man once while trying to arrest him.
Reene last month charged Trooper Hunt with one count of misdemeanor assault and battery.
Such a action is a department violation. State police policy states that an officer can only use force necessary to make an arrest.
In the original police report, Trooper Hunt wrote that he tried to stop a car, which, he says, was driving erratically near Bay City's Kiesal Street around 2 o'clock in the morning.
The report also states the driver reached speeds over 90 miles an hour, ran several stop signs, and at one point, almost hit a brick wall.
Trooper Hunt then stated the man got out of his car and started running. A Bay City police officer caught and handcuffed the man on Dewitt Street.
At the end of his report, Trooper Hunt stated that he couldn't identify the man because he was lying on his stomach, so he (Hunt) grabbed the man by the head and identified him.
The man then wouldn't stand up, so Trooper Hunt and another officer stood him up.
The prosecutor wouldn't specify exactly when the mentioned assault took place.
Along with the criminal charge, Trooper Hunt could face disciplinary action, which could be anything from counseling to dismissal from the force.
We spoke with Trooper Hunt's attorney today, who says his client is innocent.
abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=local&id=4909694
I say hats off to trooper Hunt. The "victim" chose to run.. And at that point chose to forfeit his right to a more nice, accommodating official. I believe the allegations aganist Mr. Hunt are a bogus attempt to smear his love for the force.