Hampton Police Officer Cleared of Wrongdoing in August 13th Altercation with Citizen
On August 13, 2010 at 10:45 p.m., the Hampton Police Division served a search warrant for narcotics at a residence located in the 1st block of Booker Street. Police were following up on repeated complaints from citizens of drug activity on Booker Street and specific information concerning drug activity within the residence. Present for the search warrant were members of the Special Investigations Unit, Gang Unit and Uniform Patrol.
The officers knocked on the door, which was answered by a female. When she opened the door, the officers identified themselves as Hampton Police Officers with a search warrant and entered the home. Once inside the home, one of the officers attempted to speak to the female, a 15-year-old Virginia Beach juvenile, who was on the phone. The officer asked her to hang up the phone and attempted to take possession of it, at which time she refused, becoming aggressive towards the officer. She struck the officer in the head and shoulder area and kicked him multiple times. At that point, several officers had to assist with placing her into custody and she continued to resist arrest. The officers were able to take her into custody after a short struggle.
The female was transported to Investigations to begin the Intake process when she complained of pain to her shoulder. Medics responded and she was transported to Sentara Careplex where she was treated and released for a shoulder sprain. Once she was released, she was transported back to Investigations to finish the Intake process. She was served with warrants for one count of assault and battery on a law enforcement officer and one count of resisting arrest. She was transported to Newport News Secure Detention.
An Internal Affairs investigation was conducted after the female made a complaint against the officer. The officer was exonerated and cleared of any wrongdoing based on the facts found above.
On Monday, December 13 the case against the female was heard in Hampton’s Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. The judge concluded that the evidence was sufficient to find the defendant guilty and deferred the matter to Virginia Beach, the jurisdiction where the female resides for final disposition.
In conclusion, the City is satisfied that based on the findings of the Internal Affairs investigation that the police officers acted lawfully and within policy and the Court properly credited the testimony of the officers in finding the evidence sufficient to convict.
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