Post by WaTcHeR on Feb 7, 2006 13:17:50 GMT -5
02/07/2006 - Two police officers have been cleared of misconduct charges during a traffic stop that led to the arrest of a Florence City councilman.
Officers Rodney Fridley and Chris Orphan were placed on administrative leave after a traffic stop in October. Fridley pulled his gun on a 16-year-old driver and Councilman Ed Robinson was arrested after interfering with the stop.
State prosecutors along with the State Law Enforcement Division and Florence Police investigated the officers, finding they acted properly, Police Chief Anson Shells said.
Fridley said he pulled his gun because he felt threatened during the traffic stop. Police policy allow an officer to point his weapon if he feels his life or the public is threatened.
Robinson arrived during the traffic stop and told the officers, "I want to know why you white officers pulled a gun on my people," according to a police report.
Orphan arrested Robinson after the councilman refused to step away from the traffic stop.
Robinson said his action prevented a bad situation from getting worse. "It could have turned deadly," he said.
The councilman said he doesn't support the findings of the investigation either.
"What you have is law enforcement investigating law enforcement," Robinson said.
Officers Rodney Fridley and Chris Orphan were placed on administrative leave after a traffic stop in October. Fridley pulled his gun on a 16-year-old driver and Councilman Ed Robinson was arrested after interfering with the stop.
State prosecutors along with the State Law Enforcement Division and Florence Police investigated the officers, finding they acted properly, Police Chief Anson Shells said.
Fridley said he pulled his gun because he felt threatened during the traffic stop. Police policy allow an officer to point his weapon if he feels his life or the public is threatened.
Robinson arrived during the traffic stop and told the officers, "I want to know why you white officers pulled a gun on my people," according to a police report.
Orphan arrested Robinson after the councilman refused to step away from the traffic stop.
Robinson said his action prevented a bad situation from getting worse. "It could have turned deadly," he said.
The councilman said he doesn't support the findings of the investigation either.
"What you have is law enforcement investigating law enforcement," Robinson said.