![]() ![]() The internal affairs investigation by the city ended with the officers' resignation.Ĭooper County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Phelps was picked as a special prosecutor in the criminal investigation last week. The video prompted a use-of-force investigation by the Columbia Police Department and a criminal investigation by the Boone County Sheriff's Office. The officers didn't think they'd get a fair internal investigation because of comments made by city leaders, attorney Don Weaver told ABC 17 News at the time. The video showed an officer punch a man – Lee Martin - in the face five times in front of Harpo’s while another officer tried to hold Martin down.Īccording to the arrest report, the officers involved in the incident are Gardner Pottorff and Keenen Shouse. Both officers resigned earlier this month, according to an attorney for the officers. Members of the Columbia Police Department have recently come under scrutiny after a video surfaced last month. It requires we insulate officers from agenda-driven activists with unbiased, external discipline review.” This goes well beyond competitive starting pay and ongoing pay increases. The release states “CPD has lost too many officers and cannot attract enough new officers. They are just going elsewhere, is it because of their pay and benefits, or is it because they don't feel like they are supported by city council members or elected leadership." "Because the ones we are speaking to aren't leaving law enforcement. "Our retention rate is just horrible, it is absolutely horrible, and we have to ask ourselves why," Nichols said. Nichols said that is only a portion of the City's retention issues. The City Manager’s Office is still in negotiations with CPOA about the upcoming fiscal year and Council is eager to hear about what is agreed upon on - especially for starting pay that would help with recruitment," Buffaloe said in an email. This emphasis has resulted in police officers receiving a 3% raise in May 2022 and another 4.5% increase at the start of this fiscal year. ![]() "Over the last two years, the City and City Council’s priority is to invest in our most valuable resource, our employees. ![]()
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