Columbia mayor, city manager release statement on CPD officers shown in video; details next steps
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe and City Manager, De'Carlon Seewood made statements in a press release Wednesday morning regarding two Columbia police officers who are under investigation, following a video showing an officer punching a man in the face on Sunday morning.
The video in question shows two police officers who are holding a man down, one of which who is seen punching a man in the face five times. The two police officers -- whose names have not been released as of Wednesday morning -- are currently under an internal affairs investigation by the Columbia Police Department, according to the release. The Boone County sheriff's office will also conduct a criminal investigation into the matter.
The two officers involved have yet to be named.
"The City and the Columbia Police Department take matters like this very seriously," Seewood said in the release. "I am confident the Internal Affairs investigation, as well as the criminal investigation, are the appropriate next steps. I want to assure members of our community that we are following procedure throughout this process to allow for an in-depth review of this incident. The City prides itself on providing the highest standard of service and holds employees accountable when their actions do not reflect those standards."
Seewood also said that the City is following procedures outlined by both the state and Columbia.
According to the release, the internal affairs investigation will begin with the two officers being interviewed. State statute requires an officer who is the subject of an investigation to be informed at least 24 hours prior to an interview. Columbia Police Department policy extends that time to 48 hours, the release states.
The release also states that after the interviews with both the officers and witnesses, internal affairs investigations are typically finished within 90 days. However, certain instances can lead to a 60-day extension.
Once a preliminary finding is made, officers have a minimum of seven days to appeal the findings.
Mayor Barbara Buffaloe also said the City Council condemns the unreasonable use of force by officers, reiterating a statement she made on social media on Monday afternoon.
"The men and women who work at the Columbia Police Department are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of the citizens of Columbia above all else," Buffaloe said in the release. "I trust City management to take appropriate action once the investigation is complete."
Missouri Department of Public Safety weighs in on possible repercussions
ABC 17 News reached out to the Missouri Department of Public Safety regarding the possible disciplinary action that can be taken against officers that are involved in an investigation.
Spokesman Mike O'Connell said the department is aware of the incident regarding the two Columbia police officers. However, O'Connell said the department is not currently a part of the investigation process.
The only way for the state department to become involved in the investigation is if a complaint is filed. These complaints can either come from the general public or law enforcement agencies. After a complaint is filed, a representative from the Peace Officers and Standard Training program will take all internal investigative and criminal reports, as well as court records and pass them along to the director of public safety for review.
If the director deems an officer could be subject to discipline, those files are sent to the attorney general for a complaint to be filed against the officer's license. From there, the Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission decides if the director can take disciplinary action. That action can include: The officer being put on probation, suspension of their license or the officer's license being taken away permanently.
According to the peace officer license disciplinary process, the criteria needed in order for this to occur includes:
- Is unable to perform the functions of a peace officer with reasonable competency or reasonable safety as a result of a mental condition, including alcohol or substance abuse;
- Has committed any criminal offense, whether or not a criminal charge has been filed;
- Has committed any act while on active duty or under color of law that involves moral turpitude or a reckless disregard for the safety of the public or any person;
- Has caused a material fact to be misrepresented for the purpose of obtaining or retaining a peace officer commission or any license issued pursuant to this chapter;
- Has violated a condition of any order of probation lawfully issued by the director; or
- Has violated a provision of this chapter or a rule promulgated pursuant to this chapter.
O'Connell said this is the only way for the department to become involved in the investigation.
"There has to be sort of the element of a crime of a criminal act, something related to the moral turpitude of the individual officers that were involved," O'Connell said.
If an officer is found to be in violation of any of that criteria and is disciplined, they have the option of appealing the decision to a Circuit Court of Cole County.
An officer can also have their license immediately suspended if they are found guilty of a felony, or if they are found to be a danger to the public health and safety of others.
