2-3-21 CPD Response to Alleged Officer Misconduct

As part of the investigation procedure, CPD’s IA Investigator reviewed the officer’s body worn camera (BWC) video. The video shows the officer entering the restaurant, asking who called and when no one answered he calmly and clearly explained his actions and reason for removing the campaign sign. The officer attempted to move the sign back into the median because it was in the roadway, causing a hazard. The sign, according to the officer, would not stay, so he removed it and laid it down in the median. *The officer’s BWC is attached.

“When a candidate’s campaign sign is obstructing view or causing a hazard in the right of way, CPD Officers can and will remove it,” said Chief Roddy. “The officer was doing what’s expected of him to help protect motorists and was acting within the letter of the law.”

Additionally, a community member contacted CPD’s IA office on February 3, 2021 after having read the Times Free Press article on this situation. He stated the sign was blowing into the roadway when he passed by it and almost stopped to move that sign himself, but decided not to due to safety concerns.

CPD does not regularly release body camera video or other elements of an ongoing investigation. However, because there is no evidence indicating the officer violated any department policy or law, this investigation is considered closed.

CPD encourages anyone who may have additional information relating to this situation to contact the Department's Office of Internal Affairs for review.

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* BWC video exceeds file limit. Please refer to CPD' s Facebook page for the video.