After a complete and thorough review of the arrest incident that occurred at 501 W. 4th Street on October 12, 2020, which included all available audio/video, officer statements and reports, Officer Jordan Moore was found to have violated Mansfield Police Department Rules & Regulations pertaining to the Treatment of Persons in Custody and Unsatisfactory Performance. Officer Jordan Moore was served with a Sixty Day (60 working days) suspension which begins on October 20, 2020 through January 11, 2021 as well as further training.
It was found that Officer Moore grabbed the hooded sweatshirt of a juvenile detainee without warning or instruction to comply with orders and dragged him several feet, while he was still handcuffed and in a seated position to the rear passenger side of a patrol car, in an attempt to assist the other officers with the adult arrestee.
Officer Moore’s response was found to be improper which resulted in the misapplication of force used on a person that was handcuffed, in custody and offering no resistance. From a review of audio/visual documentation, Mr. Chapman (adult arrestee) was resisting officer’s efforts to get him secured into the cruiser; however, there was no immediate need or emergency for Officer Moore to take the action of dragging his arrestee. While it was imperative that officers get Mr. Chapman into the cruiser, Officer Moore’s actions at the time did not necessitate an immediate, emergent response. Officer Moore should have maintained control of his arrestee. Up to the point the juvenile arrestee was dragged, the officers’ actions were found to be proper and within policy regarding the use of force.
Officer Stevens and Officer Telquist face no disciplinary action. As the criminal charges in this case are still pending, I cannot comment further until the cases are resolved in the appropriate court.