HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-01-17 - Use of Force Internal Investigation Follow-Up
City Of Tukwila
Jim Haggerton, Mayor
Michael Villa, Chief of Police
Police Department
An Accredited Agency
Distribution:
Local Media
City Administrator
Council Analyst
PD Administration
For Immediate Distribution
PD Supervisors
PD Records
Type of Incident:
Use of Force Internal Investigation Follow-up
Location:
Tukwila Police Department
Date/Time Occurred: Case Number:
January 17, 2013 None
Press Contact: Phone Number:
Officer Mike Murphy (206)433-1825
Description of Incident
The 12 May 2012 arrest of brothers Jahmez Amili and Charles Chappelle by Tukwila Police
officers was a recent subject of news coverage. Selected portions of police in-car videos were
aired on television news. The brothers claimed officers used excessive force, sprayed water
into their forced opened eyes, failed to provide medical aid and drove them around for five
hours unnecessarily.
The police department was asked to comment; but at the time of the news stories, we felt it
necessary to fully investigate before doing so. Providing information which may be incomplete
or inaccurate does not serve the interest of the public, or foster public trust.
Success in our jobs as law enforcement professionals is reliant upon the public trust which we
hold dearly; therefore, openness, honesty and accuracy on our part and patience and
enforcement and the public.
The Tukwila Police Department appreciates the pub
Tukwila Police Use-of-Force Internal Investigation.
The department investigation is now complete. Unfortunately despite multiple requests, the
brothers chose not to participate. Evidently the brothers are contemplating a lawsuit against
the department, but to date the department has not been served with a suit.
After a thorough investigation, all allegations of police misconduct were determined to be
unfounded.
With that said, here are the facts that we have determined and corroborated at the conclusion
of this investigation:
Around 2:43 a.m., an officer, responding to a fight call, contacted both subjects in close
proximity to the reported fight. They were stumbling in the middle of the street, were
disheveled, and appeared to be intoxicated. Both subjects refused to stop and comply with the
(206)433--6181
commands, despite being advised that they were under arrest. They only
stopped when sirens of additional police units could be heard. Based on their verbal defiance,
non-compliance, and potential risks to officers and subjects, officers chose to take them to the
ground into a high-risk non-compliant handcuffing position. Because of the many uncertainties
officer face in confronting belligerent subjects, officers are trained to quickly gain control to
prevent further escalation and risks to officer safety. Although the officers in this situation had
not yet identified the men, both have extensive criminal histories. Once on the ground in the
prone position, both subjects refused to obey commands to present their hands for cuffing and
forcibly resisted all officer attempts to control them. Officers used accepted use of force
techniques to take them into custody, and were successful in gaining control following the use
of pepper spray.
Both subjects promptly were driven to the nearby Tukwila Police Station. Tukwila Fire
department personnel treated one for evident injuries and both were treated for exposure to
pepper spray. Amili and Chappelle were transported to the SCORE Jail. SCORE Jail declined
to take them into custody because they complained of injuries on arrival at the facility. An
officer transported them to Highline Hospital where they were treated. After additional
treatment, they were promptly returned to the SCORE Jail.
Thus, officers were not aimlessly driving the men around but were attending to their needs so
they could be safely incarcerated. The time taken to complete these events was reasonable.
Public trust and openness is important to us and we have to balance this with the security of
the investigative process. Again, thanks for your patience and understanding. The Tukwila
Police Department does not intend to comment further on this matter.
(206)433--6181