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The Ohio police officer who was fired last month after releasing his K-9 on a surrendering truck driver continuously cried over the mauling and blathered about the incident to other cops and relatives, according to newly released records.
Circleville Police Officer Ryan Speakman was canned last month for not meeting the department’s “standards and expectations” following the July 4 ordeal where he unleashed his police dog on Jadarrius Rose — despite orders from another officer to keep the animal restrained.
Rose, a 23-year-old black man who had failed to stop his semi-trailer for a Motor Carrier Enforcement inspector while driving with a missing mud flap, was on his knees and with his hands up when he was mauled.
It was announced last month that Speakman was placed on administrative leave over the incident and was later terminated because he “did not meet the standards and expectations we hold for our police officers,” the department said.
Newly released records, obtained by the Associated Press, show the Speakman was warned several times to stop talking about the incident from Police Chief Shawn Baer.
Baer had also said Speakman had “released confidential information” and was deceptive when giving information about the events.
During a July 19 meeting, the chief wrote that he and Speakman had met to go over reports that the latter had been crying and speaking to colleagues about being stressed over the incident.
Baer said he told Speakman that his conduct was not beneficial to himself or the agency, according to the documents the department provided to AP.
A day later, the pair met again after Speakman reportedly did not stop talking to his colleagues and the chief asked for a list of names of those he had spoken with.
The 2-page list revealed the officer had talked to family members in addition to his colleagues.
Speakman also begged Baer to not “take his best friend from him,” referring to his dog. It is unclear if Speakman was able to keep the dog after his termination.
Even though Speakman was fired, the Circleville Police Use of Force Review Board determined “that the department’s policy for the use of canines was followed in the apprehension and arrest.”
“It’s important to understand that the Review Board is charged only with determining whether an employee’s actions in the use of force incident were within department policies and procedures,” Circleville police said in a statement.
“The Review Board does not have the authority to recommend discipline.”
Speakman, who joined the Circleville department in February 2020, deployed his dog following an erratic 25-minute pursuit on July 4.
Bodycam footage captured the moment Ohio state troopers ordered Rose to approach while Speakman, holding back the K9, yelled conflicting orders.
Rose suffered dog bites and was treated at a nearby medical center.
He was charged with failure to comply.
With Post wires
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