You may recall in January we brought you the
story of Norfolk University student London Colvin. Colvin was the student who was arrested at an off campus party for disorderly conduct by officers who allowed a K-9 to attack her while she was already restrained. The brutal attack left Colvin with injuries to her legs and feet, including one particular wound that Colvin states will need plastic surgery to repair completely.
In late January, Norfolk Police Chief, Michael Goldsmith dropped all charges against Colvin, and also announced that his investigation into the officers behavior would continue. I figured that would be the end of this incident, at east until Colvin filed her civil suit. But Chief Goldsmith truly did look into the incident in more depth and made an announcement on Friday concerning his results.
On Friday, Chief Goldsmith announced that four of the officers involved were no longer employed by the department, though Norfolk PD Spokesperson Melinda wray declined to say whether they were fired or not. Said Goldsmith of the incident:
“Their actions do not represent the values of my department,” Goldsmith said in the release. “We have a great police department filled with men and women who work hard in this community everyday. We must hold ourselves to high standards and embrace opportunities to strengthen our relationship with the people we serve.”
One of the officers no longer with the Norfolk PD is the K-9 officer involved in the incident.
Chief Goldsmith also announced two changes to the Norfolk PD when it comes to K-9 deployment.
“restricting the use of a K-9 in assaults which involve an officer or a citizen, and dispatching a supervising officer to the scene anytime a K-9 is used to apprehend a suspect,” he wrote in the release.
I think these are good changes, and Colvin is
happy with the changes as well. Through her attorney, Jon Babinaue, Colvin said of the changes:
"London is very pleased though that the police chief has made some significant policy changes which in her words were hopefully this will prevent such a horrific action from happening to someone else.”
When asked about the pending lawsuit, Babinaue stated Colvin is happy with the changes to the police department and the lawsuit has been shelved.
London Colvin is a class act. We wish her well in her continued recovery from this incident.
H/T to Virginia Jeff, with thanks.
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