Post by WaTcHeR on Nov 30, 2006 15:45:43 GMT -5
11.30.2006 - The alleged victim says when she told the officer they needed to break up until his divorce was final, they fought. Later that evening, he returned and became enraged. But, after suffering injuries which appeared to indicate a brutal beating, she did not want to press charges because, she said, he was a police officer.
"Ultimately, it could end his career," said Chattanooga Police Sgt. Tom Layne. He was talking about any officer caught up in a case of domestic violence. "When I was a training officer," he continued, "that was one of the things I always told my officers. Don't take work home with you. And by the same token, don't bring home to work."
But on Tuesday, Officer Scott Crider, a ten year veteran of the force, Field Training Officer and member of the award winning S.W.A.T. team was arrested and charged with simple assault.
According to the police report, it follows an ugly incident on Sunday evening. Upon finding the alleged victim, Crider's girlfriend of two months, officers, "...observed heavy blood spatter on her face, mainly around her eyes and in her hair and redness above her eyes and in her cheek areas."
She told them earlier that evening, Crider had shown up at her house and, "...she noticed by his speech he seemed intoxicated." She says he burst through her door and began assaulting her.
The report explains further, "...he got on top of her and started hitting her in the face..." and at some point, "...began to drag her around the house."
She ran. She says he chased her in his police cruiser. She was finally able to get away.
Despite her physical injuries, no arrests were made until after Internal Affairs joined the investigation. On Tuesday, Officer Crider was taken jail and placed on administrative leave with pay.
"This is early in the investigation," reminded Sgt. Layne. "Much like anybody else, everyone's innocent until proven guilty in a court of law." Simple assault is a misdemeanor charge. Officer Crider's first court appearance is scheduled for December 5th.
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