Post by Shuftin on Jan 24, 2007 2:35:45 GMT -5
January 23, 2007
By Michael Stewart
PENSACOLA -- The city likely will pay $35,000 to settle the claim of a girl forced to perform jumping jacks topless in front of a police officer to avoid arrest.
The Pensacola City Council's finance committee on Monday forwarded the proposed settlement to a Thursday vote before the full council.
The victim's attorney, Robert Bleach, said after the meeting that his client will be "glad to put this ugly incident behind her" and will use the money for her college education.
"She certainly didn't want to go through a trial and relive the whole thing all over again," he said.
Officer Shawn Patrick Shields approached a car parked beside Bayou Boulevard and discovered two partially dressed teenagers on April 19, 2003, according to a police report.
Shields, then 31, put the girl, 16, and a 19-year-old man in the back of his cruiser, threatening them with arrest for lewd and lascivious behavior.
The girl told investigators that Shields suggested exercise as a punishment and shined his flashlight on her while she did five jumping jacks.
Shields pleaded no contest to a criminal charge of extortion. He was placed on probation for two years in December 2003 and ordered to write a letter of apology to the girl.
Police Chief John Mathis fired the officer, Assistant Chief Chip Simmons said Monday.
"Chief Mathis will not tolerate officers acting in a manner not consistent with professional standards," Simmons said.
Bleach said the city "wanted to do right" by the victim. He called Shields an "isolated rogue officer."
However, the victim was scarred by the incident, Bleach said.
"Anytime she gets pulled over by a cop, it's going to be something of an ordeal for her," he said.
www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070123/NEWS01/70123035/1075
By Michael Stewart
PENSACOLA -- The city likely will pay $35,000 to settle the claim of a girl forced to perform jumping jacks topless in front of a police officer to avoid arrest.
The Pensacola City Council's finance committee on Monday forwarded the proposed settlement to a Thursday vote before the full council.
The victim's attorney, Robert Bleach, said after the meeting that his client will be "glad to put this ugly incident behind her" and will use the money for her college education.
"She certainly didn't want to go through a trial and relive the whole thing all over again," he said.
Officer Shawn Patrick Shields approached a car parked beside Bayou Boulevard and discovered two partially dressed teenagers on April 19, 2003, according to a police report.
Shields, then 31, put the girl, 16, and a 19-year-old man in the back of his cruiser, threatening them with arrest for lewd and lascivious behavior.
The girl told investigators that Shields suggested exercise as a punishment and shined his flashlight on her while she did five jumping jacks.
Shields pleaded no contest to a criminal charge of extortion. He was placed on probation for two years in December 2003 and ordered to write a letter of apology to the girl.
Police Chief John Mathis fired the officer, Assistant Chief Chip Simmons said Monday.
"Chief Mathis will not tolerate officers acting in a manner not consistent with professional standards," Simmons said.
Bleach said the city "wanted to do right" by the victim. He called Shields an "isolated rogue officer."
However, the victim was scarred by the incident, Bleach said.
"Anytime she gets pulled over by a cop, it's going to be something of an ordeal for her," he said.
www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070123/NEWS01/70123035/1075
