Post by Shuftin on Sept 18, 2006 12:27:49 GMT -5
2006-09-12
RICHMOND, KENTUCKY - A Richmond police officer used inappropriate and excessive force in subduing a black teenager during a May 19 incident, two independent investigators said today.
In a special meeting of the Richmond City Commission, the investigators also outlined eight recommendations to prevent and monitor future allegations of greater-than-necessary force. Those include additional training on the standards for use of force, a better reporting system to address non-compliance, and the appointment of a senior officer to oversee compliance with use-of-force policy.
Commission member Kay Cosby Jones said, "These eight recommendations will be taken very seriously."
The independent report was sought by the city commission after a May 19 incident on East Irvine Street.
Travis Parks, 17, was cited for menacing and disorderly conduct after the incident. His mother, Deborah, now 54, was injured when she was hit by a car driven by James Clifford, 22, a pizza delivery driver. Clifford was later charged with leaving the scene of an accident, police said.
At first, police could not find Deborah Parks as she lay behind some mailboxes. Travis Parks' frantic, expletive-laced efforts to attract their attention resulted in his being struck with a baton by an officer.
Two independent investigators -- Terry Cox, a professor with Eastern Kentucky University's Department of Criminal Justice and Police Studies, and Vic Bumphus, a former EKU professor who now teaches criminal justice at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga -- investigated the complaint of police brutality filed against the Richmond Police Department.
Their 26-page report, based on interviews and video footage taken at the scene, concluded that Parks had not punched with or swung his fists before the use of force, nor had he charged the officers, as some officers had told investigators.
The report found that police did have probable cause to detain Parks and needed to secure the scene so they could treat his mother.
However, striking him with the baton "was inappropriate and exceeded levels of force" specified by Richmond police policy, the report says.
Given the level of resistance encountered, the more appropriate level of force would have been the use of "O.C. spray," a chemical spray that causes the eyes to water.
"There is every reason to believe these officers were trained to use this chemical and were issued it as well," the report says.
Richmond Police Chief Robert Stephens noted that the policy does not require "officers to try each option before escalating to the next level" of force.
The policy says, "Clearly a good judgment and the circumstances of a given situation will dictate what level the officer chooses as appropriate to the risk confronted."
As for the specific conclusion that the officer used excessive force, Stephens said: "I'd have to go back and look at that more closely."
Otherwise, Stephens said, "I have no problem with the recommendations. I feel like there are some things we need to work on."
Stephens also said that the department is already discussing the appointment of a major to become a compliance officer. And Stephens said the department already consults a model policy on the use of force, which was another recommendation.
Travis Parks, who turned 18 yesterday, did not attend the city commission meeting. His court case was resolved with his performance of community service by helping at his grandfather's Richmond funeral home, said his sister, Calvetta Winstead, 22.
"It (the report) was a good birthday present," Winstead said. "I think the recommendations are good but I also think some action needs to be taken against the officers."
Stephens said no disciplinary action has been taken against the officer who used the baton, Kelley Rouse, pending his review of all the facts and the independent report.
The report also suggested that the process for citizen complaints should be more clearly articulated and efforts should be made to better advertise complaint procedures. And the report said the police department should immediately provide a strategic plan to address the recommendations in order to increase public trust.
RICHMOND, KENTUCKY - A Richmond police officer used inappropriate and excessive force in subduing a black teenager during a May 19 incident, two independent investigators said today.
In a special meeting of the Richmond City Commission, the investigators also outlined eight recommendations to prevent and monitor future allegations of greater-than-necessary force. Those include additional training on the standards for use of force, a better reporting system to address non-compliance, and the appointment of a senior officer to oversee compliance with use-of-force policy.
Commission member Kay Cosby Jones said, "These eight recommendations will be taken very seriously."
The independent report was sought by the city commission after a May 19 incident on East Irvine Street.
Travis Parks, 17, was cited for menacing and disorderly conduct after the incident. His mother, Deborah, now 54, was injured when she was hit by a car driven by James Clifford, 22, a pizza delivery driver. Clifford was later charged with leaving the scene of an accident, police said.
At first, police could not find Deborah Parks as she lay behind some mailboxes. Travis Parks' frantic, expletive-laced efforts to attract their attention resulted in his being struck with a baton by an officer.
Two independent investigators -- Terry Cox, a professor with Eastern Kentucky University's Department of Criminal Justice and Police Studies, and Vic Bumphus, a former EKU professor who now teaches criminal justice at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga -- investigated the complaint of police brutality filed against the Richmond Police Department.
Their 26-page report, based on interviews and video footage taken at the scene, concluded that Parks had not punched with or swung his fists before the use of force, nor had he charged the officers, as some officers had told investigators.
The report found that police did have probable cause to detain Parks and needed to secure the scene so they could treat his mother.
However, striking him with the baton "was inappropriate and exceeded levels of force" specified by Richmond police policy, the report says.
Given the level of resistance encountered, the more appropriate level of force would have been the use of "O.C. spray," a chemical spray that causes the eyes to water.
"There is every reason to believe these officers were trained to use this chemical and were issued it as well," the report says.
Richmond Police Chief Robert Stephens noted that the policy does not require "officers to try each option before escalating to the next level" of force.
The policy says, "Clearly a good judgment and the circumstances of a given situation will dictate what level the officer chooses as appropriate to the risk confronted."
As for the specific conclusion that the officer used excessive force, Stephens said: "I'd have to go back and look at that more closely."
Otherwise, Stephens said, "I have no problem with the recommendations. I feel like there are some things we need to work on."
Stephens also said that the department is already discussing the appointment of a major to become a compliance officer. And Stephens said the department already consults a model policy on the use of force, which was another recommendation.
Travis Parks, who turned 18 yesterday, did not attend the city commission meeting. His court case was resolved with his performance of community service by helping at his grandfather's Richmond funeral home, said his sister, Calvetta Winstead, 22.
"It (the report) was a good birthday present," Winstead said. "I think the recommendations are good but I also think some action needs to be taken against the officers."
Stephens said no disciplinary action has been taken against the officer who used the baton, Kelley Rouse, pending his review of all the facts and the independent report.
The report also suggested that the process for citizen complaints should be more clearly articulated and efforts should be made to better advertise complaint procedures. And the report said the police department should immediately provide a strategic plan to address the recommendations in order to increase public trust.