Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Officer Fired After Altercation With Detainee
KENTUCKY,..
A western Kentucky police officer has been fired after an altercation with a detainee who was being booked at the jail.
The Owensboro City Commission voted 5-0 on Monday to terminate Fred Coomes' employment with the city for excessive force, conduct unbecoming an officer and impeding an internal investigation.
The commission listened to 11 hours of testimony about the April 7 incident before making the decision.
Coomes said during his testimony that he wasn't trying to provoke a fight, but could have handled the situation better.
A complaint from a jailer said Coomes had a verbal altercation with the detainee, then it appeared he struck the person.
Police Chief Glenn Skeens said he didn't believe Coomes' explanation and thought he should be fired.
A western Kentucky police officer has been fired after an altercation with a detainee who was being booked at the jail.
The Owensboro City Commission voted 5-0 on Monday to terminate Fred Coomes' employment with the city for excessive force, conduct unbecoming an officer and impeding an internal investigation.
The commission listened to 11 hours of testimony about the April 7 incident before making the decision.
Coomes said during his testimony that he wasn't trying to provoke a fight, but could have handled the situation better.
A complaint from a jailer said Coomes had a verbal altercation with the detainee, then it appeared he struck the person.
Police Chief Glenn Skeens said he didn't believe Coomes' explanation and thought he should be fired.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 2:07 PM 
