After his Taser failed to have any effect on her, Dunn purposely shot the woman in the knee. When Can Cellphone Evidence Be Used In A Criminal Prosecution? "I made a mistake," he told the council before the discipline was handed down. "This has been a very humbling experience. With the number of refugees relocating to Utah and with how diverse the state has become, Stephenson said it is important for officers know how to address the needs of everyone who lives in the communities they serve. He was investigated for the same offense a few years earlier. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. In cases of emergency, we are able to make jail and holding center visits. That discipline can range from a letter of condemnation to revoking an officer's certification. So Dunn drew his pistol and fired three shots at her legs, striking her twice in the right knee. Donate to the newsroom now. It is with deep regret and disappointment that I stand before you this day, Bess told the council. Roberto Benvenutto, a former Salt Lake County Sheriff's deputy whose badge was revoked after being accused of stealing an iPad from a nursing home. While most of those disciplined were rank-and-file officers, at least 130 were supervisors. "It was a mistake," he said Thursday. POST Council staff said he confronted the hunters with his handgun. Austin L. Stubblefield, who previously served as a deputy with the Grand County Sheriffs Office. SANDY, Utah -- The agency that certifies and disciplines police officers in Utah handed down punishments to 25 officers facing accusations of misconduct. But I see there are things I could have done better and done differently, he said in a recording of the hearing. To view disciplinary action taken within a specific time period, please select NEWSLETTERS in the side menu. Also during September's POST meeting, final approval was given to new training guidelines for use of force and police K-9 certification so departments have a baseline standard. Why are the officers not being shamed like everyone else is? The intent of these guidelines is to facilitate fairness and consistency. Utah's police certifying agency disciplined police officers and talked about the coronavirus at its meeting Thursday. When police officers overstep their authority, there is often a decline in public confidence that can diminish a department s legitimacy. Copyright 2013-2015 Frees Law, P.L.L.C. I had BBs cutting through the weeds around me. "I think there's going to be some concerns on guidelines," said Kane County Sheriff Lamont Smith. or superseded by additional information. Castro was one of 19 officers that the POST council took action against during their latest meeting. Several people were disciplined for lying or falsifying official documents, either in applying to become a police officer or in their official police reports, POST found. The injured Collie footballer. Dunn already has filed one challenge of what was then-pending discipline with POST, but an administrative law judge found clear and convincing evidence the shooting met the states definition of an aggravated assault. Bess was duck hunting in Box Elder County when three shotgun blasts were suddenly fired in the direction of Bess and his group. SANDY A heated argument between the former police chief of Mantua and the town's former mayor has led the agency that hands out discipline to Utah law enforcers to take minor action. He joined the KSL.com team in 2021, after many years of reporting at the Deseret News and KSL NewsRadio before that. He was investigated for the same offense a few years earlier. The next day, the officer conducted "excessive traffic enforcement" in front of the school, pulling over more vehicles than normal, the investigation found. An Overview Of The DUI Process In The State Of Utah, The Mandatory Drivers License Hearing For DUI Offenders In Utah, The Timeframe Of The First Court Date Following A DUI Arrest, The Legal Limit For Prescription Or Illegal Drugs In A Utah DUI Case, A Police Officer Cannot Violate An Individuals Constitutional Rights By Stopping Them Without Probable Cause, The Consequences Of DUI Charges For Commercial Drivers In Utah, People May Unintentionally Be Marked Down For Refusing The Breath Test In Utah, The Benefits Of Hiring A Private Lawyer As Opposed To Retaining A Public Defender, The Monetary Costs Involved In Being Charged With A DUI In Utah, Impact Of SCOTUS Rulings On Narcotic Dog Cases On Drug Charges In Utah, Several Utah Police Officers Disciplined For An Array Of Misconduct, Utah Police Agencies Complete 100 Deadliest Days Safety Campaign, Utah Trooper Of The Year Accused Of Falsifying DUI Arrests. This archived news story is available That motion passed on a split vote. A former Utah Highway Patrol trooper had his certification suspended for a year for mishandling of evidence. Kyle Maddox, with the Washington County Sheriffs Office, had his license suspended for three years after lying about eating marijuana edibles and smoking a joint during a New Years party. Nicholas Riggs, a former Unified police officer, claimed his credit card had been used fraudulently, even though he knew his wife had actually used it, and he was involved in a DUI, hit-and-run accident while off-duty. Among the police officers disciplined by POST for misconduct are: Copyright 2017, KSTU. I strive to live my life with integrity. The POST Council gave him a 3 1/2 year suspension. The incident marked the second time in five years that Dunn shot a suspect in the knee to end a confrontation. When a police officer steps afoul of the law, it can not only undermine the credibility of the law enforcement community, it can allow you to contest evidence against you when staging your criminal defense. 2:38. The council gave its approval for Stephenson to continue looking into the idea and coming up with a certification training course. CALL TO SPEAK WITH ATTORNEY DARWIN OVERSON. SANDY Nine police officers in Utah faced discipline for allegations of misconduct Wednesday. The POST report found the trooper took evidence home namely cellphones collected in drug investigations rather than booking them into a secured evidence room. State officials push plan to keep Utah coal-fired power plant burning, Answers vary about whether Washington County will have enough water to accommodate growth, Utahns, Ukrainians rally at state Capitol to mark first anniversary of Russian invasion, most-litigated police misconduct cases in state history. According to the POST investigation, during the meeting with the mayor, Castro told him that firing him would be a "huge mistake" and that it would come back to "bite the mayor in the ass." John Crowley, a council representative for the Utah Peace Officers Association, motioned to give Dunn a four-year suspension. Information in the story may be outdated Jeremy Dunn. The council also passed a rule that forbids police officers from masturbating while on duty, taking pictures of their genitalia while in uniform and sexting. But Dunn and his attorney, Ashley Gregson, argued to the council that he was trying to end a confrontation without someone losing their life. Jake Hardee, a former Utah Valley University police officer, was given a 1-year suspension for not disclosing information about prior drug use in a POST application. Heres who was disciplined: Neil Andersons certification was revoked after regulators say he lied about consuming a sucker laced with marijuana and stealing a television during the application process with the Utah Department of Corrections. All law enforcers in Utah are required to be certified by the Division of Peace Officer Standards and Training. Twenty-two police officers were disciplined last year in connection with 14 incidents including covering up a cellblock beating, and failing to report a barricade incident before fatally. For example, under Utah Code 53-6-211(1)(c), an officer can be suspended from the force, regardless of which town or citys police department they work for, if they are addicted to drugs or alcohol. Assault, intoxicated driving, acts of domestic violence, and other topics that arose at the POST meeting all share one trait in common: they can all lead to criminal prosecution and, potentially, severe penalties no matter what sort of job you have. A new hunter in another party fired errant shots that went in the direction of Bess and his party. Lance Bess, a former Unified Police Officer, who was given a 3-year suspension for an incident where he was shot at by hunters in Box Elder County in 2017. Maj. Scott Stephenson, the director of POST, also presented a proposal to the council for officers to be certified in community outreach. Aug 31, 2021 Updated Aug 31, 2021 A JCPS bus loaded with students was involved in a fatal crash on Ballardsville Road about 6:47 a. Once an officer's certification is revoked in Utah, that person cannot apply to become an officer again. A meeting with former Mayor Michael Johnson and a Mantua councilwoman became heated to the point that Castro could be heard yelling at the mayor, according to the POST report. It seems like the news is reluctant to bring officers any shame for their shameful behavior but if civilians commit crimes, their pictures and details are thrown out to the public to shame them. Department of Corrections Officer Jordan Bradfords certification was suspended for six months after he provided an inmate with a toothbrush and watched as the inmate sharpened it to make a shank. Thats because it wasnt a crime, she told the council. All Rights Reserved, Two dozen Utah officers disciplined; many have certifications revoked, Grit and circumstance: Bestselling author Angela Duckworth brings her wisdom to BYU, Resolution to nix educations income tax earmark passes the Utah Senate, The starter home in Utah is extinct: How first-time homebuyers could get 20K for new homes, Rape cases involving same suspect wrongfully closed, getting new look after KSL investigation, Mexicans take to the street in protest of President Lpez Obradors new elections bill, How a new service aims to help teens remove explicit internet images. He also kept a wallet at his house that he took from a woman, and then tried to burn it when he was afraid he would get in trouble again for mishandling of evidence, according to POST. The Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training Council disciplined 12 current or former officers at its quarterly meeting. Kirk B. Smith, a former corrections officer, received a 3-year suspension for a domestic violence assault incident, according to POST. The officers involved will likely face disciplinary action, said Utah attorney Brett Tolman, a former U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah. I saw her as an imminent threat, Dunn told the Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training Council on Wednesday, and I made the best decision I could to minimize the damage to her. Among the police officers disciplined by POST for misconduct are: Christopher Smith, a former [] Law enforcement officers in Utah and elsewhere are trained that, if they are going to shoot their guns, to aim for the center of the body. Moving forward, I would adhere to POST's training and be more cognizant of every situation I encounter. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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