Anti Federalist
07-31-2011, 05:26 PM
Officers in fatal fight taken off street duty
http://articles.ocregister.com/2011-07-29/news/29834222_1_police-officers-street-duty-internal-investigation
July 29, 2011|By SEAN EMERY, LOU PONSI, and DOUG IRVING
The FBI will investigate the death of a homeless man fatally injured during a fight with Fullerton police, authorities confirmed Friday, as the police chief temporarily took the officers involved in the confrontation off street duty.
A day after Orange County Supervisor Shawn Nelson sent a letter to the Department of Justice's civil-rights division requesting a federal inquiry into the "facts and circumstances surrounding the death of Kelly Thomas at the hands of the Fullerton Police Department," FBI officials confirmed that they have opened an investigation.
Thomas, 37, a homeless man with mental issues known to frequent downtown Fullerton, died several days after a confrontation with six police officers.
One of the officers is now on administrative leave. While the five other officers have since returned to active duty, Fullerton police Chief Michael Sellers on Friday evening temporarily reassigned them away from front-line patrol duties.
"In other words, they are not working the streets," Fullerton police Sgt. Andrew Goodrich said. "The chief said that for the sake of public trust and confidence, and in the best interest of the investigation, he made these reassignments."
http://articles.ocregister.com/2011-07-29/news/29834222_1_police-officers-street-duty-internal-investigation
July 29, 2011|By SEAN EMERY, LOU PONSI, and DOUG IRVING
The FBI will investigate the death of a homeless man fatally injured during a fight with Fullerton police, authorities confirmed Friday, as the police chief temporarily took the officers involved in the confrontation off street duty.
A day after Orange County Supervisor Shawn Nelson sent a letter to the Department of Justice's civil-rights division requesting a federal inquiry into the "facts and circumstances surrounding the death of Kelly Thomas at the hands of the Fullerton Police Department," FBI officials confirmed that they have opened an investigation.
Thomas, 37, a homeless man with mental issues known to frequent downtown Fullerton, died several days after a confrontation with six police officers.
One of the officers is now on administrative leave. While the five other officers have since returned to active duty, Fullerton police Chief Michael Sellers on Friday evening temporarily reassigned them away from front-line patrol duties.
"In other words, they are not working the streets," Fullerton police Sgt. Andrew Goodrich said. "The chief said that for the sake of public trust and confidence, and in the best interest of the investigation, he made these reassignments."