Dash-cam video released in September shows TPD officers attempting to arrest Christina West, who’d been questioned for driving under the influence. During that arrest officers seriously injured West, prompting the department to suspend the two officers involved and take a closer look at arresting procedures. After Interim Chief Thomas Coe took over for Chief Dennis Jones – who resigned shortly after the incident came to light -- Coe issued a memo specifying officers should always try to talk problems down before using force. But TPD Spokesman Dave Northway said the changes weren’t solely in response to the September incident and that the biggest change is administrative, not procedural.
“When an officer’s use of force results in an injury to either the suspect or an officer and there is video of it or even in the report, then it will be forwarded to our legal advisor. The legal advisor will then review these reports for any potential liability or process improvement,” Northway clarified.
Originally officers reported use of force to their superiors directly, without first consulting with the department’s legal advisor. Now, the police counsel will have to sign off on all use of force paperwork. TPD expects an internal affairs investigation into the arrest of Christina West to conclude in the coming days.
Read the memo here
