He's filed a lawsuit against two officers, claiming they used. Kellers mayor said Dillon Puente was later reimbursed for the fine from the traffic violation. McBride fired two more rounds, then the final two as Hernandez rolled on the ground. On Aug. 15, two . An officer involved in the episode, which happened in Keller, Texas, was demoted for misconduct, officials said. Keller City Council to discuss lawsuit claiming excessive force by 2 officers, Keller police chief, city addresses controversial August arrests. She had fear at all times and was shooting at somebody she felt was coming at her and toward the other citizens who were out there, Hanna said, calling arguments to the contrary playing politics.. Marco Puente as seen in police body camera footage shortly before pepper spray was used against him. The Keller police officer who was demoted and taken off patrol following his role in pepper-spraying and arresting a North. His attorneys said in a written statement then that the family was pleased to have this unfortunate and needless situation behind them and that putting the incident in the national spotlight had accomplished their goal of demanding more accountability from law enforcement. Updated How to Become a Police Officer Investigations Law Enforcement Policies Less Lethal Off Duty . The union is set to hold a press conference to discuss the list and the next steps Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at the union headquarters in Westlake. A photo included in the lawsuit shows Officer Shimanek putting Mr. Puente in a headlock. KELLER, Texas Editor's note: The above video is from Jan. 5, 2021. The officers then arrested Marco Puente and his son, Dillon, and took them to jail. This is one of those cases where I would say you may want to take a step back and not take the pleading at face value, Mr. Lawrence said about the lawsuit. Before joining Community Impact, she majored in journalism at the University of Missouri and covered education and local arts for the Columbia Missourian and Vox Magazine. Keller Officer Blake Shimanek Resigns After Controversial Arrest Of Father Filming Son's Arrest February 1, 2021 / 5:25 PM / CBS Texas KELLER, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - Blake Shimanek, one of two. Officer Tomer was not disciplined since Keller Police Chief Brad Fortune said the facts didn't warrant any discipline. Craig Lally, President of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, said police officers are often sent to respond to too many calls that may be better suited for unarmed service providers. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES PARKS & REC PARK POLICE OFFICER California CA PD patch at the best online prices at eBay! The echo of McBrides shots had scarcely faded when a debate about the shooting began along the garbage-strewn stretch of San Pedro Street where Hernandez died. Drinking in Public;28. Police use-of-force expert Ed Obayashi defended McBride as an officer doing her job, in what he called a clear-cut justified shooting. Obayashi said he was persuaded after watching video of the incident. When he said he couldnt breathe, the officers allegedly laughed and dunked his head again. He saw the box cutter Hernandez was carrying and thought it was not dangerous. Homeless Encampment Clean-Ups, unless officers are requested or prescheduled;22. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Panhandling;23. Its undeniable that their conduct was horrible, Scott Palmer, one of the lawyers representing Mr. Puente, said, referring to the officers. Sgt. McBrides query about alternative weapons apparently went unanswered. Hey, he knows! she said, clapping. A former Keller police officer has been indicted on a charge of official oppression over an arrest last summer during which he ordered another officer to pepper-spray a man who was recording his sons traffic stop. Footage from Officer Shimaneks body camera shows that Dillon Puente was asked to step out of the car and was then handcuffed. It was the second and final town hall meeting meant to. The charges against Marco Puente were later dropped and he was released from jail. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. When the elder Puente returns on foot, he stands on a sidewalk across the street with his cellphone out to record the traffic stop. 7 reviews of Keller Police Department "My family has a history of police service for over 60 years. She entered the Police Academy at 20 and became top shot in her class, according to a doting cover profile in The Blue Press, a catalog for a firearms ammunition company. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. 5:03 PM Jan 25, 2021 CST, Keller will pay $5,000 of the $200,000 settlement, the rest of which will be covered by the Texas Municipal League. Keller Police officers Ankit Tomer and Blake Shimanek (credit: Keller PD) Shimanek claimed Puente blocked a roadway, but a subsequent investigation found Puente did nothing wrong. Special financing available. Keller Police officers Ankit Tomer and Blake Shimanek (credit: Keller PD). James Rainey has covered multiple presidential elections, the media and the environment, mostly at the Los Angeles Times, which he first joined in 1984. According to Fox News, 41-year-old Kenneth Utsinger was found by a fellow officer early Sunday.. Chief Brad Keller said in a statement, "It is with deep personal regret that I inform you of the passing of Officer Kenneth Utsinger." As part of our commitment to transparency and communication around the Aug. 15 police incident, we offer this latest update: Officer Blake Shimanek has resigned from the Keller Police Department. Landlord/Tenant Disputes;17. "Every officer in this police department, and for that matter, every officer in this . February 1, 2021 / 5:25 PM He was walking toward her.. That certainly is in stark contrast to the measured, cautious police officer, exhibiting a reverence for life. Both officers are members of the association. He has worked in a number of other capacities for The News since 2007, and he was previously a copy editor at The Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville, Fla. Central in the review of the episode will be video, both from McBrides body camera and from the mobile phones of two civilians. Did they have to shoot him six times? Its just this weird feeling that when youve done nothing wrong but you dont want somebody else to be mad, he said. The department is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., (CALEA) Chief Brad G. Fortune Chief of Police bfortune@cityofkeller.com Capt. She hewed closely to her LAPD training and can be seen on video, Hanna said, doing everything she can to deescalate this situation.. Some even called for them to face charges. Footage from Officer Shimaneks body camera shows, according to a complaint filed with the city. Airports to Fly Out ofJFK, LAX Didn't Make Either List. Do they know who we are?. Well done Keller, your service to the community is appreciated." She cavorted and strutted, sometimes within view of Hollywood glitterati, who used the same firing range to hone the gunplay they would use for movies and TV. Keller Police Department Chief Brad Fortune spoke about upcoming changes to department standards at a Jan. 21 town hall meeting. Following an internal affairs investigation, Shimanek was demoted by two ranks and was taken off patrol too, according to an internal affairs memo. Loitering/Trespassing With No Indication Of Danger;18. Puente's attorney said the family received a settlement from the city worth around $200,000. Their brief encounter on the streets of Los Angeles would resonate months later, especially for McBride and for Hernandezs family. The list in its entirety can be found below: 1. Name Keller Police Department Suggest Edit Address 330 Rufe Snow Drive Keller , Texas , 76248 Phone 817-743-4500 Fax 817-431-9388 Hours Tom has covered breaking news for The Dallas Morning News since 2016. Mr. Puente repeatedly asked for a towel, but Officer Shimanek replied that Mr. Puente would receive medical attention after being taken to jail. Marco Puente also said that one of the officers yanked off his sunglasses during the arrest, tearing his nostril and leaving a scar. Keller, Bryan Captain - Risk Management Division: 425-487-5180 Timpe, Darren . Andrew J. Campa covers the Eastside, Boyle Heights, Echo Park, parts of the San Gabriel Valley and the Southeast Corridor for the Los Angeles Times. Calls for service for loud noise, loud music, or party calls that are anonymous or have no victim;16. ", Keller Mayor Armin Mizani joined the conversation, tweeting via the city page: "While this chapter is coming to a close, the conversations and policy changes that it has inspired will continue to move us forward as a department, a city and a community.". Before joining Community Impact, she majored in journalism at the University of Missouri and covered education and local arts for the Columbia Missourian and Vox Magazine. The videos show Keller Police Department Sgt. Charges against both Puentes were eventually dropped. Critics, including Los Angeles County district attorney candidate George Gascon, say the elder McBrides influence will make it hard for the Hernandez family to get a fair hearing. A lawyer representing Officers Shimanek and Tomer did not respond to requests for comment on Saturday. First published on February 1, 2021 / 5:25 PM. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Upon arrival at the intersection of Park Vista Blvd at Keller Haslet Road, officers located the suspect and began talking with him and seeing if they could provide him with assistance. DOT Stand-By;21. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. That uneasy vigilance came into play on Aug. 15, he said. On Friday, a Tarrant County Grand Jury indicted the former Keller police officer involved in the arrest of Marco and Dillon Puente in August. When Marco refused to stop filming, he was pepper sprayed and arrested 'in retaliation' for filming. PAGE NOT MONITORED 24/7;. Are they going to target us? Non-criminal mental health calls;3. Mr. Puente was charged with resisting arrest and interference with public duties, his lawyers said. Nearly a month after officers rejected a one-year contract offer, officials with the Police Protective League told the Los Angeles Times the LAPD's starting salary has fallen behind pay for officers in at least 13 other Southern California law enforcement agencies. The video showed Shimanek telling the other officer, Antik Tomer, to arrest and pepper spray Puente for recording the encounter. Officer Shimanek then told Officer Tomer, when he arrived, to arrest Mr. Puente. Marcos attorneys, Scott Palmer and James Roberts, say the settlement sends a message. Illegal Vending;24. Marco and Dillon Puente, a father and son, say that living in the city of Keller, Texas, often means looking over their shoulder. Animal Control Officer: 425-487-5145 Downs, Melissa Evidence and Property Room Coordinator . Puente's attorneys said he was not resisting arrest, yet the second officer, Officer Ankit Tomer, sprayed his eyes with pepper spray twice. Chad Allen, Operations Commander 817-743-4541 callen@cityofkeller.com Capt. He was later released after paying a fine, Marco Puentes lawyers said. (Actually a razor cutter like the one that Hernandez carried for his carpet installation work, his family said.) In 2016, an internal investigation found he searched a woman's home. Airports to Fly Out ofJFK, LAX Didn't Make Either List. The case quickly garnered attention after Marco Puente posted footage of his arrest online. KELLER, Texas - The city of Keller agreed to pay $200,000 to settle a lawsuit with a man who accused two police officers of excessive force during a traffic stop. But police experienced with local procedure say the citys system for reviewing deadly force promises to be painstaking, involving the departments Force Investigation Division, the independent Inspector General, Chief of Police Michel Moore, the civilian Police Commission and the district attorneys office. Last week . Those reviews could take a year. He was begging for help the entire time, his attorney Scott Palmer said in December. Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes told media in a press conference Saturday morning that North Division officers responded to the intersection of Park Vista Boulevard and Keller Haslet Road and . Shimanek was demoted after an internal review, but Officer Tomer was not disciplined. Shimanek now faces a charge of official oppression, a Class A misdemeanor that could equate to a maximum fine of $4,000 and jail time of up to a year. A slew of online videos show the Los Angeles Police Department officer blasting . The city of Keller agreed to pay $200,000 to settle a lawsuit with a man who accused two police officers of excessive force during a traffic stop. Police later released bodycam footage from the officers that backed up his claims. After announcing Shimanek's resignation, representatives of the city tweeted: "This Council and our Police Department led by Chief Fortune remain committed to ensuring encounters like these never happen again, and we will continue working tirelessly to provide every member of our community with a sense of safety and security that reflects Keller's values. Kira Lovell is a reporter covering Grapevine-Colleyville-Southlake and Keller-Roanoke-North Fort Worth. Marco said he filed the lawsuit because he doesn't want other citizens being treated like he and his son were. From there, the man grabbed the weapon from his waistband and an officer fired their weapon in response, striking him. We are prepared to enter into an expedited dialogue to take action, Sandoz said in a news release, adding that it is time to end the debate regarding the topic. All rights reserved, Man Shot by Fort Worth Officer After Reaching for Gun in Waistband: Police, Barbara Corcoran Says Meeting Mark Cuban Was Her Most Embarrassing Moment' on Shark Tank' Here's Why, 3 Children Killed, 2 Wounded in Ellis County Home; 1 in Custody: Sheriff, The Cheapest and Most Expensive U.S. Butler crams his companys social media channels with videos of uber-fit models and actresses shooting at dummies and other targets. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. The shooting felt unnecessary to some of the people living in motor homes and trailers along San Pedro Street. What is this about?. Shimanek could not immediately be reached for comment and did not have an attorney listed in court records. The . See details. Lawyers representing Mr. Puente accuse them of using excessive force, among other claims. (A medical examiner later noted cut marks on Hernandezs forearms.). Officer Keller and a private security guard were searching the store when the suspect opened fire from an ambush position, striking Officer Keller in the chest. Obayashi, the use-of-force advisor to a statewide association of police training officers, called Hernandezs actions advancing toward the officer and then springing upward, even after being shot violently aggressive. He said McBride had no choice but to end the threat when Hernandez lurched forward, even after being shot twice. Thats what we are to the police, dead meat.. Apply for the Job in Police Officer at Keller, TX. Body camera footage later showed Officer Shimanek wiping himself with a towel taken from the back of his patrol car after refusing one to Mr. Puente. Hernandez kept moving slowly toward her, throwing both arms out from his sides. A still image from a body camera video shows an officer in Keller, Texas, using pepper spray on Marco Puente. She fired six shots from her Glock 17, hitting Daniel Hernandez with every round and killing the 38-year-old carpet installer and father of a teenage daughter. Defecating/Urinating In Public;27. Usually they race against a stopwatch. May 7, 2021 / 5:24 PM Just 23 years old and near the start of her life in law enforcement, Toni McBride brimmed with youthful exuberance. He previously worked at the Glendale News-Press, Burbank Leader, Whittier Daily News and Pasadena Star-News. Video from the scene records McBrides multiple orders to Hernandez to desist and to drop the knife. Witnesses said he rejected any assistance and appeared to be cutting himself in the cab of his truck. Tom Steele, Breaking News Producer. Vice president of the union, Jerretta Sandoz, said now was the time to roll up our sleeves and start implementing an alternative model for police response. Illegal Gambling;25. Mr. Puente said in an interview that he had accepted the chiefs apology as a nice gesture but that he believed more needed to be done to hold the police accountable. In a statement, the city of Keller said it is pleased that a mediated settlement agreement has been achieved, although the final documents still need to be signed by everyone involved. Within hours of the incident, Keller PDs command staff reviewed the case and the charge of interference against Marco Puente was dropped. Officers pepper-sprayed him, dragged him to a childrens swimming pool and forced his head into the water, according to a lawsuit filed by Hernandez. His last day on duty with our organization was Monday, Feb. 1. "Police misconduct and abuse of power is coming to an end," Roberts said. McBrides supporters defend her as an officer trying to protect herself and the public from a dangerous man. However, the taser was ineffective. Shimanek was previously demoted two ranks and was taken off patrol prior to his resignation. Dillon Puente, 22, was on his way to his great-grandfathers when he was pulled over by Officer Shimanek for making an improper wide right turn, according to the lawsuit. Mr. Puente was recording video with his cellphone when he caught the attention of an officer, and according to a lawsuit filed this month in federal court, he was pepper-sprayed and handcuffed. The LAPDs use-of-force policy says the officers judgment will be assessed from the perspective of a reasonable Los Angeles police officer with similar training and experience, in the same situation., An officer must reasonably believe he or she needed to use deadly force to defend against an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to the officer or to another person.. he was arrested and pepper-sprayed Aug. 15, Police Chief Brad Fortune will address Keller City Council. Chad Allen, a police spokesman, said Officer Tomer had acted accordingly under orders from Officer Shimanek, who was his supervisor at the time. 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While Marco was recording his son's arrest from the sidewalk, Sgt. 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County, High-speed rail from L.A. to Vegas: What we know, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. March 1, 2023 Updated 5:36 PM PT. Welfare Check WELCK; Non-Criminal; Courtesy request from Drs/Hospitals;9. California - RTD - Rapid Transit Police Department OFFICER Patch / Los Angeles. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Marco Puente sued the officers in federal court in December, and later reached a $200,000 settlement with the city. McBride, now back on regular patrol duty, has been immersed in a world of policing since her childhood growing up in Ventura County, where she would dress up in her dads uniform. Watch Critical Incident Videos. Blake Shimanek was charged with official oppression, a Class A misdemeanor with jail time of up to one year. Calls to schools unless the school administration is initiating a call for an emergency police response or making a mandatory reporting notification;5. Mr. Puente was then pepper-sprayed, according to video footage, with Officer Tomer removing Mr. Puentes sunglasses before spraying him a second time. In 2020, after weeks of demonstrations over the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers, San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced that non-criminal calls would be handled by trained, unarmed professionals, rather than armed police officers. KELLER, Texas - The city of Keller agreed to pay $200,000 to settle a lawsuit with a man who accused two police officers of excessive force during a traffic stop. The department received backlash for the incident, and Keller Police Chief Brad Fortune said it "caused great disappointment and regret." Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. The City of Keller tweeted: "As part of our commitment to transparency and communication around the Aug. 15 police incident, we offer this latest update: Officer Blake Shimanek has resigned from the Keller Police Department. LOS ANGELES (AP) The Los Angeles Police Department's rank-and-file union is proposing that someone other than police respond to more than two dozen types of 911 calls in a bid to transfer . All rights reserved, Man Shot by Fort Worth Officer After Reaching for Gun in Waistband: Police, Barbara Corcoran Says Meeting Mark Cuban Was Her Most Embarrassing Moment' on Shark Tank' Here's Why, 3 Children Killed, 2 Wounded in Ellis County Home; 1 in Custody: Sheriff, The Cheapest and Most Expensive U.S. Calls also detailed that the unknown male was stating Youre under arrest and that he was going to pull the trigger.. It wasnt immediately clear when armed officers would stop responding to these calls, or which unarmed responders would be responding to the calls moving forward. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Non-criminal and/or non-violent homeless and quality of life-related calls;2. In this screen grab from police body-cam video, Marco Puente grimaces after he was pepper-sprayed by a Keller officer. 18410 101st Avenue NE Bothell, WA 98011 . Officer Robert Keller was shot and killed while investigating a burglary in progress at a local store at 6509 Pacific Boulevard in Huntington Park at 11 pm. Code 30 Alarm Response (except 211 silent alarm);19. The settlement does not require the city to take any further actions against the officers. ", "It's an expensive lesson at the end of the day," Palmer said. He had a knife. I think he knows the right thing to do.". As officers continued to walk with the suspect, one officer deployed their taser. View publicly released video recordings that capture critical incidents involving LAPD officers. That prompted the city to release body and dash camera video. A coroners autopsy would later show that Hernandez had methamphetamine in his system. Union reps say the establishment of an unarmed response protocol will help with the Police Departments chronic understaffing and allow police to focus on the actual job of responding to emergencies. The Keller Police Departments investigation of the incident found that Shimanek arrested an individual for an offense that was not committed, resulting in his demotion. The Keller Police Department, TX offers housing services for the Keller Police Department at 330 Rufe Snow Drive, Tarrant. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Due to my work with various groups that have interaction with departments irate Keller is one of the most professional I've ever dealt with. They contend that she responded like the competitive shooter seen on video, racing to get off shots. "People will no longer accept it. Do we want police officers to be gunslingers, or to live up to the LAPD motto, to protect and to serve? said Arnoldo Casillas, an attorney representing the Hernandez family. They didnt have to shoot! one man says in Spanish to the videographer, who retorts: No, they did. The lawsuit says two members of the Keller Police Department Blake Shimanek, who at the time was a sergeant, and Officer Ankit Tomer violated Mr. Puentes civil rights. Shimanek, who was demoted from the rank of sergeant after an internal investigation, resigned from the force in February. He added that McBride worked hard to master all aspects of her training, including deescalation techniques, threat assessment and shooting skills. Lawyers. Hernandez keeled forward to the asphalt, but quickly pushed himself up and forward. But the Hernandez family contends that the frothy, rapid-fire videos exhibit a kind of gun use not consistent with LAPD policy, requiring measured and deliberate force. LAPD may no longer send armed officers to these police calls. The city is also pointing out that its insurance company is paying for all but a $5,000 deductible for the settlement. / CBS Texas. The Keller officer who pepper-sprayed and arrested a North Texas man who was filming his son's arrest was indicted Friday by a Tarrant County Grand Jury. In the wake of a lawsuit filed against two officers, Police Chief Brad Fortune will address Keller Police Department policies at a special City Council meeting Jan. 5. Vicious and dangerous dog complaints where no attack is in progress;15. California - RTD - Rapid Transit Police Department OFFICER Patch / Los Angeles. Suspicious circs-possible dead body, where no indication of foul play. Video of the incident shows Shimanek approach a car driven by Dillon Puente, whom he had pulled over for making a wide right turn, and tell him to roll his window all the way down. A man who was pepper sprayed by officers in Keller while videotaping his son's encounter with police over the summer is set to receive a $200,000 settlement from the city, the man's attorney said. Also, some Keller residents demanded that the police department fire both officers. / CBS Texas. $5.00 + $4.00 shipping. This isnt a movie.. The Keller Police Department started an internal investigation that included recommendations from the Police Chiefs Citizen Advisory Council, the mayor of Keller, Armin Mizani, said in a statement released on Wednesday. Officer Shimanek yelled at him for obstructing the roadway and threatened him with arrest. Parking violations;11. According to a press release from Fort Worth PD, the department received multiple 911 calls that an unknown male was yelling, walking in the street, stopping traffic and may have been in need of . View the job description, responsibilities and qualifications for this position. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. KELLER, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - A former Keller officer has been indicted after an incident in August 2020 involving the pepper spraying and arrest of a father who was filming his son's traffic stop. He loves former chief Daryl Gates. See details. The group does not represent the Keller Police Department or have a lawyer involved in the litigation. Attorney Larry Hanna said his client, McBride, behaved admirably in a complex and fast-evolving scene that led to the confrontation with Hernandez. Marco Puerte filed a federal lawsuit in December against Shimanek and Tomer. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind, he said, this officer was facing an immediate threat to her life..