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Wahpeton Police Department 443 ard Avenue North Wahpeton, ND 58075 Fax: 701-642-7842 Phone: 701-642-7722 FROM Police Chief | | Investigations To: Today's Date: cak + bree [Sergeant Fax: ( ) 7 [Patrol Officer [Grant Officer From: U/ite4. Ih Community : Wahpeton Police Dept Policing Officer Number of pages: _“__ (including cover sheet) Enhanced Housing Officer Urgent! Police Office For Review! Administration As Requested!_] Please Reply| For your information[S<] Special Instructions / Comments aj 32 Fay Please contact the person listed above if you have received this fax in error or if you have any questions or problems with the receipt of the attached documents. WAHPETON POLICE DEPARTMENT ‘nner ‘413 3rd Avenue North * Wahpeton, ND 58075 * Phome 701-642-7722 * Fax: (701) 642-7842 Press Release Wahpeton Police Chief Scott ‘Thorsteinson reports that the investigation into the incident involving the arrest of a juvenile on the afternoon of May 6, 2011 has been completed. The incident, during which the subject was arrested for Interfering with a Police Investigation while videotaping on-duty Officer Hill outside of the Richland-Wahpeton Law Enforcement Center, drew national and international attention after a video of the arrest made by the involved juvenile was posted on the internet and went viral within several days. ‘The following determinations have been made in regards to the case: (i}-In regards to Officer Hills actions in this case- Although later determined to have ‘been made with insufficient probable cause, Officer Hill’s arrest in this case was made in good faith and without malice. Although he was incorrect, Officer Hill did believe that adequate probable cause existed to arrest the subject for interfering with him as he conducted his duties. There was no use of foree during the arrest and the only verbal exchange between Officer Hill and the juvenile was as scen on the video and was approximately 15 seconds in duration. Officer Hill had no additional interaction ot contact with the juvenile after the initial arrest. (Q2)-In regards to the actions of the on-duty supervisor in this case- ‘The on-duty supervisor, after getting Officer Hill's account of the arrest and then believing that the arrest was made without sufficient probable cause, began taking immediate steps to arrange for the juvenile’s release. The juvenile was released after being detained for 32 minutes, It is my opinion that the Sergeant did everything within his power and authority to mitigate this situation. (3)- The following consequences have been imposed upon Officer Hill for his actions uring this ineident- (@)-Officer Hill has been suspended from duty for five (5) days without pay, effective as of May 13, 2011. During this suspension period Officer Hill is not allowed o perform any normal police duties or operate a department vehicle unless personally approved by the Chief of Police, and then only in the event of an extreme emergency. Officer Hill is allowed and expected to provide whatever normal or emergency care as necessary for his K-9 partner, (b)-Officer Hill will be required to take forty (40) hours of remedial law ‘enforcement training with an emphasis on Wahpeton municipal ordinances, the North Police Chief-Investgations-Sergeant-Patral Offcer-Community Policing Oficer-Grant Officer-Office Administration SESE IGE TEREPHEL GY 'WAHPETON POLICE DEPARTMENT sess cE Sano ‘413 31d Avenue North + Wahpeton, ND 58075 * Phome 701-642-7722 » Fax: (701) 642-7842 Dakota Century Code, and Constitutional law. This training will be coordinated by Officer Hill's direct supervisor and is to be completed by June 1, 2012. ‘©- Officer Hill is hereby notified that any future incidents of a similar nature will result in his termination from employment. (4) All members of the Wahpeton Police Department will attend in-service training regarding rules of arrest and Constitutional law, provided by the Wahpeton City ‘Attomey, so as to avoid any recurrences of this incident. Chief Scott Thorsteinson O5/16/11 Police Chief-Investigations-Sergeant-Patrol Office:-Community Policing Office-Grant Officer-Office Administration ‘worw.wahpeton.com

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