An Ohio K-9 officer was dismissed after an inquiry into why his police dog attacked a surrendering Black man who was on the ground with his hands up after a high-speed pursuit.
Investigation Leads to Dismissal of K-9 Officer
Officer Ryan Speakman has been fired with immediate effect, according to a statement released by the Circleville Police Department on Wednesday, July 26.
"Speakman's actions during the review of his canine apprehension of suspect Jadarrius Rose on July 4 show that Officer Speakman did not meet the standards and expectations we hold for our police officers," the department stated, as reported by CBS News.
On Tuesday, July 25, the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association filed a grievance form on Speakman's behalf, asking that he be reinstated with back pay and seniority restored if he had been demoted. This complaint said that he was terminated "without just cause."
The body cam video of the incident was just published. It shows that Speakman let the K-9 go on Jadarrius Rose, 23, despite orders from at least one Ohio State Highway Patrol officer to refrain from doing so. Rose, a Black man, seemed to be surrendering after a pursuit.
For the time being, Speakman was on paid administrative leave as the department's Use of Force Review Board investigated what happened. Police said that the review board concluded that the department's protocol for the use of canines in apprehension and arrest was followed.
Shallow Creek Kennels Inc., a Pennsylvania-based police service dog training facility, confirmed to authorities that the canine's training requirements had also been followed.
Police Dog Attacks Surrendering Black Man
While conducting a routine inspection of a semi-truck on US Route 23 in Ohio, state troopers observed the vehicle was missing a rear mud flap. The chase began when Rose, the truck's driver, refused to stop.
Rose did eventually stop, but as police officers got out with weapons drawn, he sped away. At one point, his truck's left tire tore on a spike strip, putting an end to the pursuit.
Rose exited the truck with his hands up, as instructed, which was also captured on body camera footage. A state trooper can be heard directing the Circleville police, "Do not release the dog with his hands up! Do not release the dog with his hands up!"
Officer Speakman ignored at least one warning and let the dog go. The dog bit Rose and held on for nearly 30 seconds while Rose yelled for help.
Subsequently, Rose spent three days in jail before being released.
On Tuesday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said that the event should serve as "a lesson, a wake-up call to everyone that police training in the state of Ohio is not equal."
