The Circleville, Ohio, police officer who was seen on video releasing a police K-9 on an unarmed Black man has been fired, according to a statement from the department.
The July 4 vehicle pursuit began after a Motor Carrier Enforcement inspector tried to stop the semi-truck the suspect was driving due to a missing mud flap, according to the Highway Patrol case report.
According to CNN, Video released by authorities shows them pursuing the semi-truck, which appeared to initially slow down and stop. As it does, the footage shows an officer getting out of a vehicle, pointing a weapon toward the truck and ordering the driver to get out. The driver does not exit the vehicle, however, and starts driving again. Multiple law enforcement vehicles join the chase, the footage shows.
During the police chase, Rose called 911 and told dispatchers that officers were “trying to kill” him and he did “not feel safe” pulling over the truck, according to call recordings released by the Ross County Sheriff’s Office. In the recordings, Rose repeatedly told the dispatcher he was confused about why he was being pulled over and why police had their guns drawn after he briefly stopped the truck before driving away.
Eventually, he stops the semi-truck and gets out of the vehicle surrounded by several police cars and officers, the video shows, before cutting to what appears to be a state trooper getting out of his vehicle and walking toward the driver.
The Circleville Police Department said Ryan Speakman “did not meet the standards and expectations we hold for our police officers” and his termination is “effective immediately.” His firing comes a day after the department said he was on paid administrative leave, which is standard during use-of-force investigations. AP
In a stunning contrast, “Rose was charged with failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer, a fourth-degree felony, according to the highway patrol, and could face six to 18 months in prison. He was arraigned and is free on bond.” NBC. (Emphasis mine, RMK)
The Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association said in a statement Wednesday it filed a grievance on behalf of Speakman, saying Speakman was fired without just cause.
The union asked the department to rescind the termination; pay and reimburse the officer for “all lost wages, seniority and benefits lost” resulting from his firing; expunge his employee record of his termination history; “and/or any further relief necessary to make the grievance whole.”
Per video footage, dog handler Speakman is shown as pacing beck and forth while talking to Rose. “I gave you three warnings, did I not?” Speakman asks Rose. “Did I not say final warning?” Speakman then said, “Well, you didn’t comply, so you got the dog.”
